Past and future application of solid-state detectors in manned spaceflight

Area of Science:

• Space science
• Radiation physics
• Astronaut health

Background:

• Space radiation poses a significant risk to astronauts, limiting long-duration missions.
• The space radiation environment is complex, comprising galactic cosmic rays, solar particles, and trapped radiation belts.
• Interactions between radiation and spacecraft materials further complicate the environment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review past and recent advancements in space radiation measurement techniques.
• To assess the effectiveness of various dosimetry systems for space missions.
• To discuss future directions in space radiation monitoring.

Main Methods:

• Review of historical data from solid-state dosemeters like Thermoluminescence Dosemeters (TLDs) and Plastic Nuclear Track Detectors (PNTDs).
• Inclusion of data from silicon detectors used since 1989 for dose, flux, and spectrometry.
• Introduction of newer systems like Optical Simulated Luminescence (OSL) and superheated drop detectors for personal dosimetry.

Main Results:

• Passive detectors (TLDs, PNTDs) have been crucial for gathering data on heavy ions and spectra until 1996.
• Silicon detectors proved effective for dose, flux, and spectrometry, enhancing understanding of the space radiation environment.
• Newer technologies like OSL and superheated drop detectors show promise for personal dosimetry.

Conclusions:

• Radiation measurement in space is challenging due to the complex environment and resource limitations.
• A variety of dosimetry systems, from passive to active, are essential for comprehensive radiation assessment.
• Continued development of dosimetry technology is vital for enabling future long-term human space exploration.