Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics, 2015
Space radiation has been monitored using the РД3-Б3 (in the following we use the Latin transcript... more Space radiation has been monitored using the РД3-Б3 (in the following we use the Latin transcription RD3-B3) spectrometer-dosimeter on board a recent space flight of the Russian recoverable satellite "BION-M" No. 1. The instrument was mounted inside the satellite in a pressurized volume together with biological objects and samples. The RD3-B3 instrument is a battery operated version of the spare model of the R3D-B3 instrument developed and built for the ESA BIOPAN-6 facility on Foton M3 satellite launched on September 2007 (Häder et al., 2009). It is a low mass, small dimension automated device that measures solar radiation in four channels and ionizing radiation in 256 channels of a Liulin-type energy deposition spectrometer (Dachev et al., 2002). Cosmic ionizing radiation has been monitored and separated in 256 deposited energy spectra, which were further used for determination of the absorbed dose rate and flux. The paper summarizes the results for the Earth radiation environment at the altitude of 253-585 km.
Measurements of cosmic-ray LET spectra were part of the radiobiological space research programs d... more Measurements of cosmic-ray LET spectra were part of the radiobiological space research programs during the Spacelab 1 (SL-1) and the D1 missions. We analyzed CR-39 plastic nuclear track detectors of the Advanced Biostack experiment of SL-1 and of the Dosimetric Mapping and Carausius morosus experiments in the BIORACK on D1. The particle tracks in the CR-39 were detected and measured by an automatic scanning and measuring system. An in-flight calibration was derived from track measurements of minimum ionizing oxygen and iron nuclei and of stopping nuclei as a function of the residual range. LET spectra measured at different locations in the space shuttle are presented and discussed for both missions. A model describing the effects of the geomagnetic field of the earth on charged cosmic-ray particles and the shielding by matter is used to calculate LET spectra for the two missions and for typical space station orbits at low inclinations. A comparison of measured LET spectra and LET spectra calculated for different flight parameters shows that besides geomagnetic shielding the shielding by matter is most important in comparison to solar modulation and to variation of particle flux with flight altitude. Model calculations must be improved and must consider more detailed sectored shielding by matter and the influence of trapped radiation. The last item is of importance in the case of low-inclination orbits.
... 3; (-oo-) Hess et al (1961) measurements, altitude of 11.75 km; {--- Armstrong et aí (1973)ca... more ... 3; (-oo-) Hess et al (1961) measurements, altitude of 11.75 km; {--- Armstrong et aí (1973)calculations, altitude of 11.75 km; ( ) Merker (1973) calculations, altitude of ... RADIATION ENVIRONMENT IN THE STRATOSPHERE for the centre of a human body for different altitudes ...
Concerns about the biological effects of space radiation are increasing rapidly due to the perspe... more Concerns about the biological effects of space radiation are increasing rapidly due to the perspective of long-duration manned missions, both in relation to the International Space Station (ISS) and to manned interplanetary missions to the Moon and Mars in the future. As a preparation for these long duration space missions it is important to ensure an excellent capability to evaluate
The radiation exposure in space missions can be reduced by careful mission planning and appropria... more The radiation exposure in space missions can be reduced by careful mission planning and appropriate measures, such as provision of a radiation shelter, but it cannot be eliminated. The reason for that is the high penetration capability of the radiation components owing to their high energies. Radiation is therefore an acknowledged primary concern for manned spaceflight and is a potentially limiting factor for long-term orbital and interplanetary missions. The radiation environment is a complex mixture of charged particles of solar and galactic origin and of the radiation belts, as well as of secondary particles produced in interactions of the galactic cosmic particles with the nuclei of atmosphere of the earth. The complexity even increases by placing a spacecraft into this environment owing to the interaction of the radiation components with the shielding material. Therefore it is a challenge to provide for appropriate measurements in this radiation field, coping with the limited resources on experiment power and mass. Solid-state dosemeters were already chosen for measurements in the first manned flights. Thermoluminescence dosemeters (TLDs) and plastic nuclear track detectors (PNTD) especially found a preferred application because they are light-weighted, need no power supply and they are tissue-equivalent. Most of the data available until 1996 were gathered by using these passive detectors; this especially holds for heavy ion particle spectra. The systems, supplemented by converter foils or fission detectors and bubble detectors, provide information on dose, particle flux-, energy- and linear energy transfer spectra of the ionising radiation and neutron fluxes and doses. From 1989, silicon detectors were used for dose and flux measurements and later on for particle spectrometry. Silicon detectors were demonstrated as a powerful tool for the description of space radiation environment. Optical simulated luminescence (OSL) detectors have now been introduced as a new system in space research. Both, OSL and superheated drop detectors are candidates for personal dosimetry systems. The article will summarise past results, and results of measurements performed recently on the ISS, and conclude with future aspects.
The e ective charge state is an important particle parameter which is required for the calculatio... more The e ective charge state is an important particle parameter which is required for the calculation of many e ects concerning the interaction between radiation and matter such as an estimate of the radial dose of swift heavy projectiles, stopping power and so on. A new method for the determination of e ective charge states of heavy ions is based on the measurement of the number of high-energy delta-electrons which are ejected from a target by the penetrating ion. These electrons are detectable with a CCD-detector and their number can be correlated to the e ective charge state of the projectile for known particle velocities. This method is even applicable to operation with single swift heavy ions within statistical bounds.
In 2007, the European Space Agency (ESA) initiated the development of European Crew Personal Acti... more In 2007, the European Space Agency (ESA) initiated the development of European Crew Personal Active Dosimeters. The hardware development objective is to produce an active personal dosimeter which shows absorbed dose and dose equivalent spectra similar to a Tissue Equivalent Proportional Counter (TEPC), but which is based on more robust silicon detector devices. Several detector/dosimeter components have been investigated e by computer simulations e for their performance in the radiation field at the ISS position.
A passive neutron dosemeter based on nuclear track detectors and TLD's was used in 1995 and 1997 ... more A passive neutron dosemeter based on nuclear track detectors and TLD's was used in 1995 and 1997 on the MIR station and in Space Shuttle flights to MIR. As it is equipped with neutron converters and shieldings of different types the track detector system allows the neutron dose equivalent to be determined in rough energy intervals. The results of the measurements on the MIR station and in the Space Shuttle flights are presented and the influence of charged particles in the complex mixed radiation field in space is discussed. Improvements are possible by means of a new active neutron dosemeter which is under development at the PTB. First measurements with a prototype in the high-energy reference fields at CERN are presented and discussed.
ABSTRACT Purpose: Within the European project ALLEGRO (grant agreement no. 231965), the out-of-fi... more ABSTRACT Purpose: Within the European project ALLEGRO (grant agreement no. 231965), the out-of-field dose delivered to a patient when treated with different radiotherapy modalities was investigated. The study compared the dose distribution during photon and particle irradiations both in a water and an anthropomorphic phantom to evaluate the risk of inducing secondary malignancies. Methods: Two sets of experiments with standardized conditions were used for a systematic comparison. In the former, a water phantom was irradiated with a 2D squared field to characterize the lateral dose fall-off with high spatial resolution. The latter employed an anthropomorphic phantom treated for a target volume placed at the center of its head to simulate a brain tumor. The dose was measured in several planes along the phantom main axis. For both types of experiments the dose was measured with a PTW diamond detector. Additionally, the use of TLDs and bubble detectors provided some information on the secondary neutron field produced both in the accelerator structure and the target itself. In total, experiments were conducted at six facilities using photons, protons and carbon ions; the ion irradiations were performed with passive delivery and the scanning technique. Results: A significant difference among the out-of-field dose profiles is observed for distances larger than 3 cm to the target. The distribution delivered by photons is a factor 10 to 400 higher than the values of charged particles. Scanning ions reduces the out-of-field dose more than passive delivery at distances larger than 10 cm. Conclusions: The study emphasizes the physical advantage of using charged particles for tumor therapy. Together with the favorable depth dose deposition, ions spare the normal tissue surrounding the target more efficiently than photons. These results imply a lower risk of long-term effects, such as the induction of secondary malignancies, following treatments with particles compared to photons. This work was funded by the European ALLEGRO project (Grant Agreement No. 231965).
As part of the PROTECT experiment of the EXPOSE-E mission on board the International Space Statio... more As part of the PROTECT experiment of the EXPOSE-E mission on board the International Space Station (ISS), the mutagenic efficiency of space was studied in spores of Bacillus subtilis 168. After 1.5 years' exposure to selected parameters of outer space or simulated martian conditions, the rates of induced mutations to rifampicin resistance (Rif(R)) and sporulation deficiency (Spo(-)) were quantified. In all flight samples, both mutations, Rif(R) and Spo(-), were induced and their rates increased by several orders of magnitude. Extraterrestrial solar UV radiation (>110 nm) as well as simulated martian UV radiation (>200 nm) led to the most pronounced increase (up to nearly 4 orders of magnitude); however, mutations were also induced in flight samples shielded from insolation, which were exposed to the same conditions except solar irradiation. Nucleotide sequencing located the Rif(R) mutations in the rpoB gene encoding the β-subunit of RNA polymerase. Mutations isolated from flight and parallel mission ground reference (MGR) samples were exclusively localized to Cluster I. The 21 Rif(R) mutations isolated from the flight experiment showed all a C to T transition and were all localized to one hotspot: H482Y. In mutants isolated from the MGR, the spectrum was wider with predicted amino acid changes at residues Q469K/L/R, H482D/P/R/Y, and S487L. The data show the unique mutagenic power of space and martian surface conditions as a consequence of DNA injuries induced by solar UV radiation and space vacuum or the low pressure of Mars.
On board of the NASA Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF), spores of Bacillus subtilis in monol... more On board of the NASA Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF), spores of Bacillus subtilis in monolayers (10(6)/sample) or multilayers (10(8)/sample) were exposed to the space environment for nearly six years and their survival was analyzed after retrieval. The response to space parameters, such as vacuum (10(-6) Pa), solar electromagnetic radiation up to the highly energetic vacuum-ultraviolet range (10(9) J/m2) and/or cosmic radiation (4.8 Gy), was studied and compared to the results of a simultaneously running ground control experiment. If shielded against solar ultraviolet (UV)-radiation, up to 80 % of spores in multilayers survive in space. Solar UV-radiation, being the most deleterious parameter of space, reduces survival by 4 orders of magnitude or more. However, up to 10(4) viable spores were still recovered, even in completely unprotected samples. Substances, such as glucose or buffer salts serve as chemical protectants. With this 6 year study in space, experimental data are provided to the discussion on the likelihood of "Panspermia".
Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics, 2015
Space radiation has been monitored using the РД3-Б3 (in the following we use the Latin transcript... more Space radiation has been monitored using the РД3-Б3 (in the following we use the Latin transcription RD3-B3) spectrometer-dosimeter on board a recent space flight of the Russian recoverable satellite "BION-M" No. 1. The instrument was mounted inside the satellite in a pressurized volume together with biological objects and samples. The RD3-B3 instrument is a battery operated version of the spare model of the R3D-B3 instrument developed and built for the ESA BIOPAN-6 facility on Foton M3 satellite launched on September 2007 (Häder et al., 2009). It is a low mass, small dimension automated device that measures solar radiation in four channels and ionizing radiation in 256 channels of a Liulin-type energy deposition spectrometer (Dachev et al., 2002). Cosmic ionizing radiation has been monitored and separated in 256 deposited energy spectra, which were further used for determination of the absorbed dose rate and flux. The paper summarizes the results for the Earth radiation environment at the altitude of 253-585 km.
Measurements of cosmic-ray LET spectra were part of the radiobiological space research programs d... more Measurements of cosmic-ray LET spectra were part of the radiobiological space research programs during the Spacelab 1 (SL-1) and the D1 missions. We analyzed CR-39 plastic nuclear track detectors of the Advanced Biostack experiment of SL-1 and of the Dosimetric Mapping and Carausius morosus experiments in the BIORACK on D1. The particle tracks in the CR-39 were detected and measured by an automatic scanning and measuring system. An in-flight calibration was derived from track measurements of minimum ionizing oxygen and iron nuclei and of stopping nuclei as a function of the residual range. LET spectra measured at different locations in the space shuttle are presented and discussed for both missions. A model describing the effects of the geomagnetic field of the earth on charged cosmic-ray particles and the shielding by matter is used to calculate LET spectra for the two missions and for typical space station orbits at low inclinations. A comparison of measured LET spectra and LET spectra calculated for different flight parameters shows that besides geomagnetic shielding the shielding by matter is most important in comparison to solar modulation and to variation of particle flux with flight altitude. Model calculations must be improved and must consider more detailed sectored shielding by matter and the influence of trapped radiation. The last item is of importance in the case of low-inclination orbits.
... 3; (-oo-) Hess et al (1961) measurements, altitude of 11.75 km; {--- Armstrong et aí (1973)ca... more ... 3; (-oo-) Hess et al (1961) measurements, altitude of 11.75 km; {--- Armstrong et aí (1973)calculations, altitude of 11.75 km; ( ) Merker (1973) calculations, altitude of ... RADIATION ENVIRONMENT IN THE STRATOSPHERE for the centre of a human body for different altitudes ...
Concerns about the biological effects of space radiation are increasing rapidly due to the perspe... more Concerns about the biological effects of space radiation are increasing rapidly due to the perspective of long-duration manned missions, both in relation to the International Space Station (ISS) and to manned interplanetary missions to the Moon and Mars in the future. As a preparation for these long duration space missions it is important to ensure an excellent capability to evaluate
The radiation exposure in space missions can be reduced by careful mission planning and appropria... more The radiation exposure in space missions can be reduced by careful mission planning and appropriate measures, such as provision of a radiation shelter, but it cannot be eliminated. The reason for that is the high penetration capability of the radiation components owing to their high energies. Radiation is therefore an acknowledged primary concern for manned spaceflight and is a potentially limiting factor for long-term orbital and interplanetary missions. The radiation environment is a complex mixture of charged particles of solar and galactic origin and of the radiation belts, as well as of secondary particles produced in interactions of the galactic cosmic particles with the nuclei of atmosphere of the earth. The complexity even increases by placing a spacecraft into this environment owing to the interaction of the radiation components with the shielding material. Therefore it is a challenge to provide for appropriate measurements in this radiation field, coping with the limited resources on experiment power and mass. Solid-state dosemeters were already chosen for measurements in the first manned flights. Thermoluminescence dosemeters (TLDs) and plastic nuclear track detectors (PNTD) especially found a preferred application because they are light-weighted, need no power supply and they are tissue-equivalent. Most of the data available until 1996 were gathered by using these passive detectors; this especially holds for heavy ion particle spectra. The systems, supplemented by converter foils or fission detectors and bubble detectors, provide information on dose, particle flux-, energy- and linear energy transfer spectra of the ionising radiation and neutron fluxes and doses. From 1989, silicon detectors were used for dose and flux measurements and later on for particle spectrometry. Silicon detectors were demonstrated as a powerful tool for the description of space radiation environment. Optical simulated luminescence (OSL) detectors have now been introduced as a new system in space research. Both, OSL and superheated drop detectors are candidates for personal dosimetry systems. The article will summarise past results, and results of measurements performed recently on the ISS, and conclude with future aspects.
The e ective charge state is an important particle parameter which is required for the calculatio... more The e ective charge state is an important particle parameter which is required for the calculation of many e ects concerning the interaction between radiation and matter such as an estimate of the radial dose of swift heavy projectiles, stopping power and so on. A new method for the determination of e ective charge states of heavy ions is based on the measurement of the number of high-energy delta-electrons which are ejected from a target by the penetrating ion. These electrons are detectable with a CCD-detector and their number can be correlated to the e ective charge state of the projectile for known particle velocities. This method is even applicable to operation with single swift heavy ions within statistical bounds.
In 2007, the European Space Agency (ESA) initiated the development of European Crew Personal Acti... more In 2007, the European Space Agency (ESA) initiated the development of European Crew Personal Active Dosimeters. The hardware development objective is to produce an active personal dosimeter which shows absorbed dose and dose equivalent spectra similar to a Tissue Equivalent Proportional Counter (TEPC), but which is based on more robust silicon detector devices. Several detector/dosimeter components have been investigated e by computer simulations e for their performance in the radiation field at the ISS position.
A passive neutron dosemeter based on nuclear track detectors and TLD's was used in 1995 and 1997 ... more A passive neutron dosemeter based on nuclear track detectors and TLD's was used in 1995 and 1997 on the MIR station and in Space Shuttle flights to MIR. As it is equipped with neutron converters and shieldings of different types the track detector system allows the neutron dose equivalent to be determined in rough energy intervals. The results of the measurements on the MIR station and in the Space Shuttle flights are presented and the influence of charged particles in the complex mixed radiation field in space is discussed. Improvements are possible by means of a new active neutron dosemeter which is under development at the PTB. First measurements with a prototype in the high-energy reference fields at CERN are presented and discussed.
ABSTRACT Purpose: Within the European project ALLEGRO (grant agreement no. 231965), the out-of-fi... more ABSTRACT Purpose: Within the European project ALLEGRO (grant agreement no. 231965), the out-of-field dose delivered to a patient when treated with different radiotherapy modalities was investigated. The study compared the dose distribution during photon and particle irradiations both in a water and an anthropomorphic phantom to evaluate the risk of inducing secondary malignancies. Methods: Two sets of experiments with standardized conditions were used for a systematic comparison. In the former, a water phantom was irradiated with a 2D squared field to characterize the lateral dose fall-off with high spatial resolution. The latter employed an anthropomorphic phantom treated for a target volume placed at the center of its head to simulate a brain tumor. The dose was measured in several planes along the phantom main axis. For both types of experiments the dose was measured with a PTW diamond detector. Additionally, the use of TLDs and bubble detectors provided some information on the secondary neutron field produced both in the accelerator structure and the target itself. In total, experiments were conducted at six facilities using photons, protons and carbon ions; the ion irradiations were performed with passive delivery and the scanning technique. Results: A significant difference among the out-of-field dose profiles is observed for distances larger than 3 cm to the target. The distribution delivered by photons is a factor 10 to 400 higher than the values of charged particles. Scanning ions reduces the out-of-field dose more than passive delivery at distances larger than 10 cm. Conclusions: The study emphasizes the physical advantage of using charged particles for tumor therapy. Together with the favorable depth dose deposition, ions spare the normal tissue surrounding the target more efficiently than photons. These results imply a lower risk of long-term effects, such as the induction of secondary malignancies, following treatments with particles compared to photons. This work was funded by the European ALLEGRO project (Grant Agreement No. 231965).
As part of the PROTECT experiment of the EXPOSE-E mission on board the International Space Statio... more As part of the PROTECT experiment of the EXPOSE-E mission on board the International Space Station (ISS), the mutagenic efficiency of space was studied in spores of Bacillus subtilis 168. After 1.5 years' exposure to selected parameters of outer space or simulated martian conditions, the rates of induced mutations to rifampicin resistance (Rif(R)) and sporulation deficiency (Spo(-)) were quantified. In all flight samples, both mutations, Rif(R) and Spo(-), were induced and their rates increased by several orders of magnitude. Extraterrestrial solar UV radiation (>110 nm) as well as simulated martian UV radiation (>200 nm) led to the most pronounced increase (up to nearly 4 orders of magnitude); however, mutations were also induced in flight samples shielded from insolation, which were exposed to the same conditions except solar irradiation. Nucleotide sequencing located the Rif(R) mutations in the rpoB gene encoding the β-subunit of RNA polymerase. Mutations isolated from flight and parallel mission ground reference (MGR) samples were exclusively localized to Cluster I. The 21 Rif(R) mutations isolated from the flight experiment showed all a C to T transition and were all localized to one hotspot: H482Y. In mutants isolated from the MGR, the spectrum was wider with predicted amino acid changes at residues Q469K/L/R, H482D/P/R/Y, and S487L. The data show the unique mutagenic power of space and martian surface conditions as a consequence of DNA injuries induced by solar UV radiation and space vacuum or the low pressure of Mars.
On board of the NASA Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF), spores of Bacillus subtilis in monol... more On board of the NASA Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF), spores of Bacillus subtilis in monolayers (10(6)/sample) or multilayers (10(8)/sample) were exposed to the space environment for nearly six years and their survival was analyzed after retrieval. The response to space parameters, such as vacuum (10(-6) Pa), solar electromagnetic radiation up to the highly energetic vacuum-ultraviolet range (10(9) J/m2) and/or cosmic radiation (4.8 Gy), was studied and compared to the results of a simultaneously running ground control experiment. If shielded against solar ultraviolet (UV)-radiation, up to 80 % of spores in multilayers survive in space. Solar UV-radiation, being the most deleterious parameter of space, reduces survival by 4 orders of magnitude or more. However, up to 10(4) viable spores were still recovered, even in completely unprotected samples. Substances, such as glucose or buffer salts serve as chemical protectants. With this 6 year study in space, experimental data are provided to the discussion on the likelihood of "Panspermia".
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