Risk from relativistic heavy ions on manned space missions.

Abstract

The risk from exposure to radiation posed to space travelers outside the magnetic shielding provided by the geomagnetosphere will come from two sources: the slowly varying but low intensity high-energy galactic cosmic rays and the more intense predominantly low-energy protons from large solar particle events associated with magnetic disturbances originating sporadically on or within the solar surface during the active period of the 11-year solar cycle. The energy spectra of the protons in solar particle events are quite soft, with large numbers of low-energy protons and a rather steep decrease of the energy spectra with increasing energy. This allows for the possibility to provide, within the space vehicle or habitat, a well-shielded area sometimes called a "storm shelter" or "safe haven" where the travelers could gather during the largest particle events. Intensity risetimes on the order of half an hour or more and overall event durations of 1 to 2 days would make actively seeking a well-shielded shelter for the duration a distinct possibility. The high-energy and penetrating nature and relative constancy of the galactic cosmic rays, on the other hand, do not allow the use of highly shielded areas as a means of protection against them. The first question to answer becomes: what is the risk to human health from the galactic cosmic rays? We need to have a good idea of the answer to this question before we can address the problem of how to best protect human health or, indeed, whether any specific measures need to be taken.