Solar Electromagnetic Radiation Research Articles

Streams of High-Energy Solar Alpha Particles - The Cause of Both Rising Global Temperature (Global Warming) and Partly Human Mortality?

In the present work, the author presents arguments that global warming of at least the last 70 years is partly or entirely caused by changes in the solar magnetic field and is probably a consequence of ionizing radiation emitted as a result of solar activity. The ionizing radiation is positively charged particles with high energy. They penetrate deep into the Earth's atmosphere, creating in the atmosphere an increased content of ions serving as condensation nuclei, which increases cloudiness in the lower atmosphere and lowers the surface air temperature. When solar activity decreases as observed in the last 70 years, the reverse process occurs – cloud cover decreases, more solar electromagnetic radiation reaches the earth's surface and increases the temperature. An additional argument for the presence of high-energy radiation that penetrates deeply into the earth's atmosphere and reaches the earth's surface is the high statistically significant correlation between the fluxes of such radiation recorded by GOES series satellites in a geostationary orbit (36000 km above the earth's surface) and the human mortality from deadliest diseases

High-performance UV light detector using layered perovskites and textured silicon heterojunction

UV photodetectors have gained popularity due to their high precision and capability to filter out interference from solar electromagnetic radiation. A UV detector of (BA)2PbCl4/textured silicon (BA = n-butylammonium) heterojunction was fabricated by depositing (BA)2PbCl4 thin film on textured silicon. High performances of a rapid UV light response (trise = tfall = 0.24 s), high responsivity (8.16 mA/W), and a low detection limit (7.5 μW/cm2) were obtained from the designed detector, which were ascribed the unique morphology and structure of the detector. The rough surface morphology of textured silicon enlarges the light-absorbing area of (BA)2PbCl4 by 20 times. Moreover, a p-n junction was constructed between (BA)2PbCl4 and textured silicon. The electric field naturally present in the heterojunction facilitates the transport of carriers. Furthermore, the (BA)2PbCl4/textured silicon heterojunction exhibited significant selectivity towards UV light and demonstrated remarkable stability and repeatability in the air environment. This work offers a new strategy for developing inexpensive and high-performance UV photodetectors, which is significant for exploring the potential of layered perovskites in new photodetector device applications.

Nanostructured TiAlCuN and TiAlCuCN coatings for spacecraft: effects of reactive magnetron deposition regimes and compositions.

Spacecraft are exposed to a number of factors in the outer space: irradiation by electron flows, high-energy ions, solar electromagnetic radiation, plasma irradiation, and a stream of meteorite particles. All these factors initiate various physical and chemical processes in spacecraft materials, which can eventually lead to failure. To ensure reliable operation of spacecraft, it is necessary to use protective coatings and special radiation-resistant materials. TiAlCuN and TiAlCuCN coatings were formed by reactive magnetron sputtering on different substrates: single-crystal silicon and Titanium Grade 2 wafers. Nitrogen was used as a reactive gas to form nitride coatings and acetylene was used to form carbonitride coatings. The elemental composition was studied by energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. The structural-phase state of the coatings was examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Mechanical properties, such as hardness and Young modulus, were investigated by nanoindentation using a CSM Instruments Nanohardness Tester NHT2. The influence of deposition parameters, such as Ti and Al contents, the degree of reactivity α, and carbonitride formation on the structure and their mechanical properties were considered. It was detected that Cu addition to the coatings has effects on crystallite and growth column size refinement in comparison with the TiAlN and TiAlCN analogues due to its segregation along crystalline boundaries, and thus, imparts better mechanical characteristics. The hardness of TiAlCuN and TiAlCuCN coatings varies in the range of H = 25-36 GPa and Young modulus - E = 176-268 GPa. The impact strength index and the H/E* ratio, as well as the plastic deformation resistance index H3/E*2, were calculated. Due to their high mechanical properties, the formed nitride and carbonitride coatings are promising for use in space technologies.

Dust Particles in Space: Opportunities for Experimental Research

Space dust and dusty (complex) plasma are one of the most common manifestations of matter in space. Non-atmospheric bodies of the Solar System, such as the Moon, asteroids, comets, some satellites of the planets, are directly affected by external factors of outer space—solar electromagnetic radiation, interplanetary plasma flows, cosmic rays, micrometeors. Under the influence of these factors, regolith is formed on the surface of bodies during geological epochs. Under the influence of impacts of high-speed micrometeors, dust particles of regolith scatter at different speeds. Most of them return to the surface, but some form dust clouds or lose their gravitational connection with the parent body. Under the action of solar radiation, the surface acquires an electric charge, and dust particles under certain conditions can break away from the regolith surface and levitate. Observational evidence of such dynamic phenomena has been recorded on the Moon and on some asteroids. The study of the physical processes responsible for the activation of dust particles and their dynamics is of great interest for fundamental science and practical purposes. The article discusses the main processes occurring under the influence of outer space factors on regolith, as a result of which dust particles move and a near-surface plasma-dust exosphere is formed. Unresolved issues are discussed. Methods and means of laboratory modeling in studying the activation and dynamics of dust particles are considered.

Artificial neural networks applications in partially shaded PV systems

Renewable energy sources have attracted attention in the last few years as an efficient and sustainable alternative to conventional fossil fuels. Among these sources, solar power emerges as an abundant and feasible energy resource for powering various forms of energy-demanding sectors, such as industrial applications and transportation. Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems directly transmute the energy in the solar electromagnetic radiation to electrical energy. However, a significant problem in solar PV systems is partial shading. A noticeable energy loss happens when a small portion of the PV system is subject to shading. There has been increasing attention to applying Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques to mitigate partial shading. One of the most promising AI techniques is Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) used extensively in analysing partially shaded PV systems. This work reviews the applications of ANNs in various aspects of partially shaded PV systems. The application of ANNs in Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT), fault detection, fault mitigation, system modelling, and performance optimization of solar PV systems undergoing partial shading are summarized and discussed. Finally, future research directions are presented to further improve these techniques and move them toward practical application.

Physical processes leading to surface erosion and dust particles dynamics of airless bodies

The article is a review of the state of research on physical processes occurring near the surface of airless bodies, in particular, the Moon, asteroids, comets, which lead to their erosion, that is, to the modification of superficial and sometimes even deeper layers. External influences on the bodies are considered—micrometeor streams, solar wind and geomagnetic tail plasma flows, solar electromagnetic radiation, and cosmic rays, which are the main causes of erosion. The main features of airless bodies belonging to different classes are given. The main physical mechanisms that can lead to the release and removal of dust particles from the surface of regolith are analyzed, in particular, the energy aspects of high-speed micrometeor impacts, electrostatic processes of particle release from the surface, and thermodynamic processes occurring in the near-surface layers of cometary nuclei. The conditions for the removal of dust particles from the surface of a rotating body and the conditions under which the body can collapse are considered. Depending on the characteristics of these bodies, the processes of erosion, as well as the causes of its occurrence, can vary significantly. The main unresolved problems associated with the processes of erosion of bodies, which require further research, are considered.

Pathogenesis of solar urticaria: Classic perspectives and emerging concepts.

Solar urticaria is a rare, immunologically mediated photodermatosis in which activation of cutaneous mast cells is triggered by specific wavelengths of solar electromagnetic radiation. This manifests clinically as the rapid development of cutaneous itch, erythema and wheal formation after several minutes of sun exposure. Disease mechanisms in solar urticaria remain incompletely elucidated and there have been few recent investigations of its pathobiology. Historic passive transfer experiments performed during the twentieth century provide support for a 'photoallergy' model of disease pathogenesis, wherein molecular alteration of a putative chromophore by solar electromagnetic radiation produces mast cell activation via an IgE-dependent mechanism. However, this model does not account for several observations made during passive transfer experiments nor does it explain a range of subsequent clinical and photobiological observations made in solar urticaria patients. Furthermore, increased understanding of the molecular dynamics underpinning cutaneous mast cell responses highlights the need to reformulate our understanding of solar urticaria pathogenesis in the context of this contemporary scientific landscape. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of solar urticaria pathogenesis and, by incorporating recent scientific and clinical observations, develop new hypotheses to drive future investigation into this intriguing disorder.

CYCLES OF SOLAR ACTIVITY AS A BASIS FOR FORECASTING THE QUALITY OF DNIEPER WATER

One of the main features of the quality of the Dnieper water is the content of natural organic substances which determine the water oxidizability and color indexes. A special problem is that organic substances are poorly removed by water treatment plants. A significant problem in the operation of water treatment plants is the unpredictability of annual changes in the quality of Dnieper water, which complicates logistics management, for example, the supply of reagents. Many years of experience related to the Dnieper water supply station in Kyiv (DnWS) have led to the hypothesis that these changes are in some way related to the cycles of solar activity.
 The purpose of this work is to test this hypothesis to substantiate the possibility of predicting the quality of Dnieper water depending on the action of such a global factor as solar activity. The work was performed by statistical methods using 60-year results of Dnieper water analyzes provided by the DnWS laboratory, as well as Wolf numbers (Sunspot Numbers) provided for free use by the Royal Observatory of Belgium. The influence of solar activity on the quality indicators of Dnieper water, especially in its peak and post-peak periods, has been statistically confirmed. The interaction of biological and physicochemical parameters as factors influencing water quality is shown.
 Conclusions. As a result of the construction of six reservoirs in 1931-1976, the Dnieper from the river actually turned into a network of water bodies. Now these reservoirs are a kind of reactors in which water is treated by electromagnetic solar radiation, which leads to the cyclic transformation of phytoplankton and natural organic matter. Taking into account the cycles of solar activity, the logistical planning of the operation of water treatment facilities receives an independent "base", changes in which can be predicted with some reliability for years to come.

Radiation and space flights safety: An insight

Cosmic radiation hazard is cornerstone of space flights safety. Different properties of solar electromagnetic and corpuscular radiation with emphasis on its dangerous influence on astronauts and spacecraft equipment and systems are discussed. Solar and galactic cosmic rays (SCR and GCR) pose a serious obstacle in terms of safety and security of space flights, especially beyond the Earth's magnetosphere. Solar flares and GCR are of special concern. Solar flares are distinguished as extremely complex phenomena observing across the whole electromagnetic spectrum from radio wavelength to extreme ultraviolet, X-ray and gamma ray. Powerful fluxes of energetic particles in very wide energetic spectrum are generated which interact with the home planet and disturbing tremendously our space environment. Altogether, it is referred to as space weather. Geomagnetic storms induced by solar flares affect the ground facilities, social-economic infrastructure and global system operations involving electric power supply, aviation and ground transportation, oil-gas pipelines, geographic information system/data management (GIS), etc. As systems become more complex over time, the impacts of space weather on space flights and humanity in general are likely to increase. We analyze flares complexity and classification depending on their size, duration, morphology or magnetic topology and characteristic corpuscular radiation based on different classification systems as well protective measures to mitigate their consequences. Humans will encounter extremely serious problems of space flights safety at the beginning of new phase of the Moon exploration. Of the risks evaluation of habitation in the lunar hostile environment, specifically in the potential sites of Lunar Base deployment, monitoring of radiation doses absorbed by astronauts on the lunar surface is the first one. Underground shelters could be used to provide safe habitation and maintain the long-term humans' activity. Nowadays we face numerous problems involving many unknowns and dangers of the natural origin in the outer space, which runs in parallel with the needs of great technological advancements and breakthroughs. It is incremental in the course of growing complexity of space flights and progressive development of the human missions with an ultimate goal of undertaking manned flights to the Moon, Mars and beyond.

Dust grains in mean motion orbital resonances with a planet

The orbital evolution of interplanetary dust particles in the Solar System is governed by gravitational and non-gravitational forces. Non-gravitational effects become more significant with decreasing size of dust grains and the effects are relevant on long-time scales. This work considers action of the solar corpuscular radiation in the form of solar wind, solar electromagnetic radiation in the form of the Poynting-Robertson (P-R) effect and gravitational attraction of the Sun and planets. The solar wind influences the evolution of dust grains more significantly than the P-R effect.The paper focuses on mean motion orbital resonances of a dust particle with a planet. We deal with the effect of non-gravitational forces in the restricted three body problem and we also investigate the stability of the equilibrium solution. The motion of the dust grain near the equilibrium points L4 and L5 can be stable under certain circumstances. The analytical results are also supported by numerical calculations.

Диэлектрлі беттерде антибактериалды мысқұрамды наноқабықшаларды алу

Activation of the surface of cotton fabrics before obtaining a chemical copper film is recommended to be carried out by precipitation of dispersed copper particles. For this purpose, physical and chemical processes occurring in thin layers of copper chloride solutions under the influence of the visible spectrum of electromagnetic solar radiation are used. In this case, copper chlorides interact with cellulose, which is the main component of the fabric, forming copper monochloride. It is shown that this interaction occurs from exposure to sunlight. After that, the fabric is moistened with a solution of ascorbic acid and again exposed to solar radiation. Electrons located in a semiconductor under the influence of solar photons receive additional energy and oxidize the copper element, and the free spaces that appear in this case are filled with electrons depending on the oxidation of ascorbic acid. As a result of these processes, a shell containing copper particles that can catalyze the chemical copper is formed on the surface of the tissue.

Role of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor in Environmentally Induced Skin Aging and Skin Carcinogenesis.

The skin is constantly exposed to a variety of environmental threats, including solar electromagnetic radiation, microbes, airborne particulate matter, and chemicals. Acute exposure to these environmental factors results in the activation of different signaling pathways that orchestrate adaptive stress responses to maintain cell and tissue homeostasis. Chronic exposure of skin to these factors, however, may lead to the accumulation of damaged macromolecules and loss of cell and tissue integrity, which, over time, may facilitate aging processes and the development of aging-related malignancies. One transcription factor that is expressed in all cutaneous cells and activated by various environmental stressors, including dioxins, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and ultraviolet radiation, is the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). By regulating keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation, epidermal barrier function, melanogenesis, and immunity, a certain degree of AHR activity is critical to maintain skin integrity and to adapt to acute stress situations. In contrast, a chronic activation of cutaneous AHR signaling critically contributes to premature aging and the development of neoplasms by affecting metabolism, extracellular matrix remodeling, inflammation, pigmentation, DNA repair, and apoptosis. This article provides an overview of the detrimental effects associated with sustained AHR activity in chronically stressed skin and pinpoints AHR as a promising target for chemoprevention.

Antenna beam angle calibration method via solar electromagnetic radiation scan

Regular calibration is essential to antenna beam-pointing angle of mobile radar considering system errors caused by the transition to a new site or deformation of the radar antenna structure. Traditional antenna beam-pointing calibration methods based on calibration towers, aircraft etc. are more widely used. However, these calibration methods are either too complex or too expensive for mobile radar. Since solar has relatively stable radio intensity and its angle of view can be accurately calculated, this study proposed a fast antenna beam pointing calibration method by using solar electromagnetic radiation as a calibration reference. In this method, radar controls its antenna beam pointing to the predicted observing angle of solar and tuning the antenna beam to scan the sun on azimuth and elevation until the amplitude of received radio signal achieved its maximum, then the azimuth and elevation of antenna beam is the value for antenna beam-pointing calibration. Finally, this study verified the validity of the calibration method by the real calibration data of radar. This method has been applied to a mobile radar with a 0.5° beam width. The results show that the integrated error of the calibration can be <0.01°.

Multidisciplinarity in Research of Extreme Solar Energy Influences on Natural Disasters

The atmosphere is a very sensitive medium to extraterrestrial forces, most importantly, solar electromagnetic radiation and energetic particle intrusion. This released intense solar activity can cause sudden disturbances in the Earth’s atmosphere and further create ground telecommunication interferences, blackouts, transportation problems, water supply problems, potential health effects, as well as natural disasters, such as forest fires. These extreme events can cause billions of dollars of damage and impact individuals, families, communities, and societies. For this reason, it is of crucial importance to investigate the connections between this extreme activity and natural disasters, and further develop ways to prevent, prepare against, and respond to them. The aim of this special issue is to engage a wide community of scientists to de-fragment broaden and improve our knowledge in this field. We invite researchers from all relevant fields to publish their recent investigations in this special issue.

Record Efficiency of Solar Cells Based on Graded-Gap Trinitrides of Quantum Enestors-Zonistors

This paper discusses the use of solid solutions of multicomponent semiconductors for solar energy converted and storage devices in some structural and technological formation options suitable for monolithic integration. The eight-component system under consideration makes it possible to obtain varizon layers from Eg = 6.4 eV (AlN) to Eg = 0.18 eV (InSb) with any set of heterogeneous macro-, micro- and nanosized LED (laser) structures, which allows conduct classical sequential and parallel electronic and optical processing of information, and convert photon fluxes into electric current and accumulate electrical energy in potential wells in the same chip. In this case, the entire spectrum of solar electromagnetic radiation from 200 nm (ultraviolet) to infrared radiation of 12000 nm is used, which is effectively absorbed in the gap layer practically without loss of energy transfer to one or several narrow-band regions specially created by the program in the epitaxy of the varizon layers. The article analyzes examples of the implementation of some heterostructures for converting solar energy into electrical energy, such as AlGaAsSb / GaSb and GaInAsP / InP. The options for optimizing the luminous flux and resistance of contacts in graded-gap construction are considered using the example of an optoelectronic converter. The constructive use of rektenna for energy conversion is considered. The possibilities of using III-nitrides and nanocarbonitrides for energy storage layers of enestors are analyzed. For the formation of optimal nano-templates, as it was established in the course of studies of a simplified model of the process of defect formation, with radii of nano-creations of less critical, dislocation can be achieved with any thickness of the nanotemple. In this case, the curves of the conditionally dislocation-free relief are dominated by three-dimensional limiting effects. Thus, thermodynamic parameters (temperature, pressure) and precursors were experimentally determined in terms of studies of nanocarbide processes in MOСVD epitaxy III-nitrides on nanoparticles of sapphire, in which self-formation of consolidated nanocarbides is realized for layers of energy accumulation on the basis of which, at the present time, the Research Institute of Micro Devices NASU continues research on working out and bringing to the industrial sample the technology of a super capacitor in an enestor chip. These studies and practical developments have demonstrated the great potential of zonistor heterogeneous structures on Iii-nitrides for highly efficient transformation and accumulation of solar radiation energy. The developed gas-phase technology of selective epitaxy makes it possible to obtain defect-free heterostructures, which ensures a high quantum yield of conversion of the whole broad spectrum of solar radiation into electric current and accumulate its energy in one integrated structure. The high quantum yield of the photoelectric effect in nanostructures of solid solutions of the BAlGaInNPAsSb system compensates for technological costs and significantly changes the very paradigm of not only providing energy to electronic functional devices, but also makes it possible in principle to develop a new perspective energy resource for many applications. Ref. 18, fig. 9, tabl. 1.</p

Integrity of the DNA and Cellular Ultrastructure of Cryptoendolithic Fungi in Space or Mars Conditions: A 1.5-Year Study at the International Space Station.

The black fungi Cryomyces antarcticus and Cryomyces minteri are highly melanized and are resilient to cold, ultra-violet, ionizing radiation and other extreme conditions. These microorganisms were isolated from cryptoendolithic microbial communities in the McMurdo Dry Valleys (Antarctica) and studied in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), using the EXPOSE-E facility on the International Space Station (ISS). Previously, it was demonstrated that C. antarcticus and C. minteri survive the hostile conditions of space (vacuum, temperature fluctuations, and the full spectrum of extraterrestrial solar electromagnetic radiation), as well as Mars conditions that were simulated in space for a 1.5-year period. Here, we qualitatively and quantitatively characterize damage to DNA and cellular ultrastructure in desiccated cells of these two species, within the frame of the same experiment. The DNA and cells of C. antarcticus exhibited a higher resistance than those of C. minteri. This is presumably attributable to the thicker (melanized) cell wall of the former. Generally, DNA was readily detected (by PCR) regardless of exposure conditions or fungal species, but the C. minteri DNA had been more-extensively mutated. We discuss the implications for using DNA, when properly shielded, as a biosignature of recently extinct or extant life.

27-day variation in solar-terrestrial parameters: Global characteristics and an origin based approach of the signals

The Earth and the near interplanetary medium are affected by the Sun in different ways. Those processes generated in the Sun that induce perturbations into the Magnetosphere-Ionosphere system are called geoeffective processes and show a wide range of temporal variations, like the 11-year solar cycle (long term variations), the variation of ∼27 days (recurrent variations), solar storms enduring for some days, particle acceleration events lasting for some hours, etc.In this article, the periodicity of ∼27 days associated with the solar synodic rotation period is investigated. The work is mainly focused on studying the resulting 27-day periodic signal in the magnetic activity, by the analysis of the horizontal component of the magnetic field registered on a set of 103 magnetic observatories distributed around the world. For this a new method to isolate the periodicity of interest has been developed consisting of two main steps: the first one consists of removing the linear trend corresponding to every calendar year from the data series, and the second one of removing from the resulting series a smoothed version of it obtained by applying a 30-day moving average. The result at the end of this process is a data series in which all the signal with periods larger than 30 days are canceled.The most important characteristics observed in the resulting signals are two main amplitude modulations: the first and most prominent related to the 11-year solar cycle and the second one with a semiannual pattern. In addition, the amplitude of the signal shows a dependence on the geomagnetic latitude of the observatory with a significant discontinuity at approx. ±60°.The processing scheme was also applied to other parameters that are widely used to characterize the energy transfer from the Sun to the Earth: F10.7 and Mg II indices and the ionospheric vertical total electron content (vTEC) were considered for radiative interactions; and the solar wind velocity for the non-radiative interactions between the solar wind and the magnetosphere. The 27-day signal obtained in the magnetic activity was compared with the signals found in the other parameters resulting in a series of cross-correlations curves with maximum correlation between 3 and 5 days of delays for the radiative and between 0 and 1 days of delay for the non-radiative parameters. This result supports the idea that the physical process responsible for the 27-day signal in the magnetic activity is related to the solar wind and not to the solar electromagnetic radiation.

THE FLIGHT PHASES, FACTORS AND LOADS ACTING ON THE SPACECRAFT DURING THE PLANETS SCIENTIFIC MISSIONS USING THE HYDROGEN-OXYGEN PROPELLANT

The paper deals with the main flight phases of the spacecraft rockets and automatic spacecrafts for the planets scientific missions including the active flight with firing engines in the Earth atmosphere; the flight on the LEO; transfer flight to the other planets; entry to the planet atmosphere; flight with the parachute system; landing and operation on the planet surface. The schemes of the spacecraft landing to the surfaces of the Venus, the Mars, the Moon the Earth satellite are presented. Main systems of descend and landing spacecraft main systems are also presented. The paper describes the main natural and artificial factors and loadings, acting during the spacecraft operation, the vibration and acoustic loads; linear accelerations, natural and the Earth’s artificial electromagnetic belts, galactic and solar space radiation, the solar heat radiations, meteorites, space vacuum, electromagnetic radiation, low gravity, space waste, aerial gaseous and dynamic factors. The theoretical and experimental study of the space environment and loadings acting on the automated spacecraft during its operational phases should be performed at the phase of experimental development to provide the specified reliability. A reasonability of the lunar surface base creation has been substantiated. The base will be provided with the systems of hydrogen and oxygen production. Here the automated spacecraft propulsion system will be refilled with the propellant components. After that the spacecraft can fly to the deep space objects.

Ionospheric effects of solar flares and their associated particle ejections in March 2012

Flares of March 4–9, 2012 were accompanied by an intensification of solar electromagnetic and corpuscular radiations and five coronal mass ejections. Bursts of X-rays and increased solar cosmic ray fluxes caused an increase in ionospheric absorption manifesting itself in data from vertical sounding stations as enhancements of the lowest frequency of reflections up to 4–6MHz at the daytime and as the disappearance of reflections in the ionograms of high latitude stations. Interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICME) generated March 7–8 moderate and March 8–11 intense magnetic storms accompanied by ionospheric disturbances. At the peaks of both magnetic storms there were abrupt afternoon–evening decreases in the ionospheric F2-layer critical frequency (foF2). During the March 7–8 storm, the foF2 decrease concurred with the reversal of the interplanetary magnetic field azimuthal component (IMF By) which initiated restructuring of magnetospheric convection; during the March 8–11 storm, with the abrupt weakening of the interplanetary magnetic field southward component (IMF Bz) which triggered a substorm.

The astrobiological mission EXPOSE-R on board of the International Space Station

AbstractEXPOSE-R flew as the second of the European Space Agency (ESA) EXPOSE multi-user facilities on the International Space Station. During the mission on the external URM-D platform of the Zvezda service module, samples of eight international astrobiology experiments selected by ESA and one Russian guest experiment were exposed to low Earth orbit space parameters from March 10th, 2009 to January 21st, 2011. EXPOSE-R accommodated a total of 1220 samples for exposure to selected space conditions and combinations, including space vacuum, temperature cycles through 273 K, cosmic radiation, solar electromagnetic radiation at &gt;110, &gt;170 or &gt;200 nm at various fluences up to GJ m−2. Samples ranged from chemical compounds via unicellular organisms and multicellular mosquito larvae and seeds to passive radiation dosimeters. Additionally, one active radiation measurement instrument was accommodated on EXPOSE-R and commanded from ground in accordance with the facility itself. Data on ultraviolet radiation, cosmic radiation and temperature were measured every 10 s and downlinked by telemetry and data carrier every few months. The EXPOSE-R trays and samples returned to Earth on March 9th, 2011 with Shuttle flight, Space Transportation System (STS)-133/ULF 5, Discovery, after successful total mission duration of 27 months in space. The samples were analysed in the individual investigators laboratories. A parallel Mission Ground Reference experiment was performed on ground with a parallel set of hardware and samples under simulated space conditions following to the data transmitted from the flight mission.