Abstract

Probable dose loads to cosmonauts in a short-term lunar mission including the transit and stay on the surface were estimated using actual measurements and model calculations. It was found that doses of radiation received in a 21-day mission with a 14-day stay on the Moon in the period of minimal solar activity will make about 130 mSv; in the period of solar maximum and in case of a solar event radiation doses may reach 9–12 Svwith the maximum admissible dose of 250 mSv over a month. Increase of mass thickness of radiation shield of the command module from 10 to 20 g/cm2 (aluminum equivalent) and of the EVA spacesuit from 0.2 to 0.5-1.0 g/cm2 (aluminum equivalent) can reduce 1.4 times the total dose to cosmonauts in the period of solar minimum. Minimization of crew radiation levels requires a consideration of the solar activity forecast in order to choose the launch "windows" when high-energy electrons flow in the Earth's external radiation belt is minimal, and space weather along the route to the Moon.

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