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At least 181 records · Page 10

PASP Plus: An experiment to measure space-environment effects on photovoltaic power subsystems

The Photovoltaic Array Space Power Plus Diagnostic experiment (PASP Plus) was accepted as part of the APEX Mission payload aboard a Pegastar satellite to be orbited by a Pegasus launch vehicle in late 1992. The mission's elliptical orbit will allow us to investigate both space plasma and space radiation effects. PASP Plus will have eleven types of solar arrays and a full complement of environmental and interactions diagnostic sensors. Measurements of space-plasma interactions on the various solar arrays will be made at large negative voltages (to investigate arcing parameters) and at large positive voltages (to investigate leakage currents) by biasing the arrays to various levels up to -500 and +500 volts. The long-term deterioration in solar array performance caused by exposure to space radiation will also be investigated; radiation dosage will be measured by an electron/proton dosimeter included in the environmental sensor complement. Experimental results from PASP Plus will help establish cause-and-effect relationships and lead to improved design guidelines and test standards for new-technology solar arrays.

Guidice, Donald A.↗

Prediction of LDEF ionizing radiation environment

The Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) spacecraft flew in a 28.5 deg inclination circular orbit with an altitude in the range from 172 to 258.5 nautical miles. For this orbital altitude and inclination two components contribute most of the penetrating charge particle radiation encountered - the galactic cosmic rays and the geomagnetically trapped Van Allen protons. Where shielding is less than 1.0 g/sq cm geomagnetically trapped electrons make a significant contribution. The 'Vette' models together with the associated magnetic filed models were used to obtain the trapped electron and proton fluences. The mission proton doses were obtained from the fluence using the Burrell proton dose program. For the electron and bremsstrahlung dose we used the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) electron dose program. The predicted doses were in general agreement with those measured with on-board thermoluminescent detector (TLD) dosimeters. The NRL package of programs, Cosmic Ray Effects on MicroElectronics (CREME), was used to calculate the linear energy transfer (LET) spectrum due to galactic cosmic rays (GCR) and trapped protons for comparison with LDEF measurements.

Watts, John W.↗

Thermoluminescent dosimetry for LDEF experiment M0006

Experiment M0006 on the Long Duration Exposure Facility had as its objective the investigation of space radiation effects on various electronic and optical components, as well as on seed germination. The Grumman Corporate Research Center provided the radiation dosimetric measurements for M0006, comprising the preparation of thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD) and the subsequent measurement and analysis of flight exposed and control samples. In addition, various laboratory exposures of TLD's with gamma rays and protons were performed to obtain a better understanding of the flight exposures.

Chang, J. Y.↗

Ionizing radiation calculations and comparisons with LDEF data

In conjunction with the analysis of LDEF ionizing radiation dosimetry data, a calculational program is in progress to aid in data interpretation and to assess the accuracy of current radiation models for future mission applications. To estimate the ionizing radiation environment at the LDEF dosimeter locations, scoping calculations for a simplified (one dimensional) LDEF mass model were made of the primary and secondary radiations produced as a function of shielding thickness due to trapped proton, galactic proton, and atmospheric (neutron and proton cosmic ray albedo) exposures. Preliminary comparisons of predictions with LDEF induced radioactivity and dose measurements were made to test a recently developed model of trapped proton anisotropy.

Armstrong, T. W.↗

Dosimetric mapping inside biorack (7-IML-1)

This experiment documents the radiation environment inside Biorack and compares it to theoretical predictions. Other experiments inside Biorack need this information to determine whether changes to samples are caused by radiation or microgravity. Dosimetric stacks, each with 20 to 100 sheets of plastic detector foils (cellulose nitrate, Lexan, and CR39) and nuclear emulsions of different radiation sensitivity are packed together with Thermoluminescence dosimeters (TLD) inside Type 1 containers. Crew members place two stacks in the 37 C incubator and four in the 36 C incubator, two of which are placed on the 1 g centrifuge. Two stacks are located in a stowage position at ambient temperature. After the mission, the plastic detectors are etched and the nuclear emulsions are developed similar to photographic emulsions. The traces resulting from the interaction of heavy ions with matter can then be evaluated under the microscope. The number, charge, and energy of the particles will be determined. From the TLD readings, the absorbed dose of the low LET components will be received.

Reitz, G.↗

Radiation monitoring container device (16-IML-1)

In this experiment, layers of radiation detectors and biological specimens, bacterial spores (Bacillus subtillis), shrimp eggs (Altemia salina), and maize seeds (Zea mays) are sandwiched together in the Radiation Monitoring Container. The detectors, sheets of plastic materials, record the nuclear track of cosmic radiation. The dosimeter package contains conventional detectors made of materials such as lithium fluoride or magnesium-silica-terbium. The thermoluminescent materials (TLD) will, when moderately heated, emit luminescent photons linearly depending upon the dose of radiation received. The experiment, enclosed in a box-like container, is mounted on the aft end cone of the Spacelab, the area where the shielding is somewhat less than other locations.

Nagaoka, S.↗

Preliminary total dose measurements on LDEF

After spending nearly six years in Earth's orbit twenty stacks consisting of radiation detectors and biological objects are now back on Earth. These Free Flyer Biostack experiments are part of the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF). The major objective of the experiments are to investigate the biological effectiveness of single heavy ions of the cosmic radiation in various biological systems and to provide information about the spectral composition of the radiation field and the total dose received in the LDEF orbit. The preliminary analysis of the thermoluminescence dosimeters (TLD) yields maximum absorbed dose rates of 2.24 mGy day(exp -1) behind 0.7 g cm(exp -2) shielding and 1.17 mGy day(exp -1) behind 12 g cm(exp -2) shielding. A thermal neutron fluence of 1.7 n cm(exp -2)s(exp -1) is determined from the differences in absorbed dose for different isotopic mixtures of lithium. The results of this experiment on LDEF are especially valuable since LDEF stayed for almost six years in the prospected orbit of the Space Station Freedom.

Reitz, G.↗

Measurements of the radiation dose to LDEF by means of passive dosimetry

A very simple experiment was fielded on LDEF to measure the energetic radiation dose by means of passive dosimetry. It consisted of two identical packets of 16 LiF thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD) arranged in planar arrays. One array was placed on the leading edge of the spacecraft, the other on the trailing edge. These arrays were installed in opaque packets of 1 mil Al foil and Kapton tape mounted behind an Al plate of 30 mils thickness. The nominal energy thresholds were 14 MeV for protons and 650 keV for electrons. In addition to the flight arrays, two control arrays were prepared which were kept with the flight arrays as long as possible during experimental integration and then stored in the lab. The flight and control arrays were read out alternating in groups of four; it was found that the control dose was negligible. The flight and control detectors were exposed to a 55 MeV proton beam in order to provide a recalibration of the detectors. It was found that the post-flight and pre-flight calibrations were in good agreement. A comparison of results with the prediction shows that the measured dose was a factor of 4 to 5 low. It is possible that there was in-flight annealing of the TLDs as a result of the long mission and perhaps temperature excursions of the sensors. The East-West effect was larger than expected. The ratio of 1.65 is approximately what was expected for the protons alone. Electrons should reduce the dose ratio since electrons add equally to the leading and trailing edge dose. A possible explanation is that the electron dose was negligible compared to the proton dose.

Blake, J. B.↗

Space Shuttle dosimetry measurements with RME-III

A description of the radiation monitoring equipment (RME-III) dosimetry instrument and the results obtained from six Space Shuttle flights are presented. The RME-III is a self-contained, active (real-time), portable dosimeter system developed for the USAF and adapted for utilization in measuring the ionizing radiation environment on the Space Shuttle. This instrument was developed to incorporate the capabilities of two earlier radiation instruments into a single unit and to minimize crew interaction times with longer battery life and expanded memory capacity. Flight data has demonstrated that the RME-III can be used to accurately assess dose from various sources of exposure, such as that encountered in the complex radiation environment of space.

Hardy, K. A.↗

LDEF: Dosimetric measurement results (AO 138-7 experiment)

One of the objectives of the AO 138-7 experiment on board the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) was a total dose measurement with Thermo Luminescent Detectors (TLD 100). Two identical packages, both of them including five TLD's inside various aluminum shields, are exposed to the space environment in order to obtain the absorbed dose profile. Radiation fluence received during the total mission length was computed, taking into account the trapped particles (AE8 and AP8 models during solar maximum and minimum periods) and the cosmic rays; due to the magnetospheric shielding the solar proton fluences are negligible on the LDEF orbit. The total dose induced by these radiations inside a semi infinite plane shield of aluminum are computed with the radiation transport codes available at DERTS. The dose profile obtained is in good agreement with the evaluation by E.V. Benton. TLD readings are performed after flight; due to the mission duration increase a post flight calibration was necessary in order to cover the range of the in flight induced dose. The results obtained, similar (plus or minus 30 percent) for both packages, are compared with the dose profile computation. For thick shields it seems that the measurements exceed the forecast (about 40 percent). That can be due to a cosmic ray and trapped proton contributions coming from the backside (assumed as perfectly shielded by the LDEF structure in the computation), or to an underestimate of the proton or cosmic ray fluences. A fine structural shielding analysis should be necessary in order to determine the origin of this slight discrepancy between forecast and in flight measurements. For the less shielded dosimeters, mainly exposed to the trapped electron flux, a slight overestimation of the dose (less than 40 percent) appears. Due to the dispersion of the TLD's response, this cannot be confirmed. In practice these results obtained on board LDEF, with less than a factor 1.4 between measurements and forecast, reinforce the validity of the computation methods and models used for the long term evaluation of the radiation levels (flux and dose) encountered in space on low inclination and altitude Earth orbits.

Bourrieau, J.↗

Development and application of a 3-D geometry/mass model for LDEF satellite ionizing radiation assessments

A three-dimensional geometry and mass model of the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) spacecraft and experiment trays was developed for use in predictions and data interpretation related to ionizing radiation measurements. The modeling approach, level of detail incorporated, example models for specific experiments and radiation dosimeters, and example applications of the model are described.

Colborn, B. L.↗

Radiation model predictions and validation using LDEF satellite data

Predictions and comparisons with the radiation dose measurements on Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) by thermoluminescent dosimeters were made to evaluate the accuracy of models currently used in defining the ionizing radiation environment for low Earth orbit missions. The calculations include a detailed simulation of the radiation exposure (altitude and solar cycle variations, directional dependence) and shielding effects (three-dimensional LDEF geometry model) so that differences in the predicted and observed doses can be attributed to environment model uncertainties. The LDEF dose data are utilized to assess the accuracy of models describing the trapped proton flux, the trapped proton directionality, and the trapped electron flux.

Armstrong, T. W.↗

CRRES microelectronic test chip orbital data. II

Data from a MOSFET matrix on two JPL (CIT Jet Propulsion Laboratory) CRRES (Combined Release and Radiation Effects Satellite) chips, each behind different amounts of shielding, are presented. Space damage factors are nearly identical to ground test values for pMOSFETs. The results from neighboring rows of MOSFETs show similar radiation degradation. The SRD (Space Radiation Dosimeter) is used to measure the total dose accumulated by the JPL chips. A parameter extraction algorithm that does not underestimate threshold voltage shifts is used. Temperature effects are removed from the MOSFET data.

Soli, G. A.↗

Fiber optic and laser sensors IX; Proceedings of the Meeting, Boston, MA, Sept. 3-5, 1991

The present volume on fiber-optic and laser sensors discusses industrial applications of fiber-optic sensors, fiber-optic temperature sensors, fiber-optic current sensors, fiber-optic pressure/displacement/vibration sensors, and generic fiber-optic systems. Attention is given to a fiber-sensor design for turbine engines, fiber-optic remote Fourier transform IR spectroscopy, near-IR fiber-optic temperature sensors, and an intensity-type fiber-optic electric current sensor. Topics addressed include fiber-optic magnetic field sensors based on the Faraday effect in new materials, diaphragm size and sensitivity for fiber-optic pressure sensors, a microbend pressure sensor for high-temperature environments, and linear position sensing by light exchange between two lossy waveguides. Also discussed are two-mode elliptical-core fiber sensors for measurement of strain and temperature, a fiber-optic interferometric X-ray dosimeter, fiber-optic interferometric sensors using multimode fibers, and optical fiber sensing of corona discharges.

Depaula, Ramon P.↗

Biological and Medical Experiments on the Space Shuttle, 1981 - 1985

This volume is the first in a planned series of reports intended to provide a comprehensive record of all the biological and medical experiments and samples flown on the Space Shuttle. Experiments described have been conducted over a five-year period, beginning with the first plant studies conducted on STS-2 in November 1981, and extending through STS 61-C, the last mission to fly before the tragic Challenger accident of January 1986. Experiments were sponsored within NASA not only by the Life Sciences Division of the Office of Space Science and Applications, but also by the Shuttle Student Involvement Program (SSIP) and the Get Away Special (GAS) Program. Independent medical studies were conducted as well on the Shuttle crew under the auspices of the Space Biomedical Research Institute at Johnson Space Center. In addition, cooperative agreements between NASA and foreign government agencies led to a number of independent experiments and also paved the way for the joint US/ESA Spacelab 1 mission and the German (DFVLR) Spacelab D-1. Experiments included: (1) medically oriented studies of the crew aimed at identifying, preventing, or treating health problems due to space travel; (2) projects to study morphological, physiological, or behavioral effects of microgravity on animals and plants; (3) studies of the effects of microgravity on cells and tissues; and (4) radiation experiments monitoring the spacecraft environment with chemical or biological dosimeters or testing radiation effects on simple organisms and seeds.

Halstead, Thora W.↗

Study on the biological effect of cosmic radiation and the development of radiation protection technology (L-11)

NASDA is now participating in a series of flight experiments on Spacelab missions. The first experiment was carried out on the first International Microgravity Laboratory Mission (IML-1) January 1992, and the second experiment will be conducted on the Spacelab-J Mission, First Materials Processing Test (FMPT). The equipment or Radiation Monitoring Container Devices (RMCD) includes passive dosimeter systems and biological specimens. The experiments using this hardware are designed by NASDA to measure and investigate the radiation levels inside spacecraft like space shuttle and to look at the basic effects of the space environment from the aspect of radiation biology. The data gathered will be analyzed to understand the details of biological effects as well as the physical nature of space radiation registered in the sensitive Solid-State Track Detectors (SSTD).

Nagaoka, Shunji↗

CRRES microelectronics package flight data analysis

A detailed in-depth analysis was performed on the data from some of the CRRES MEP (Microelectronics Package) devices. These space flight measurements covered a period of about fourteen months of mission lifetime. Several types of invalid data were identified and corrections were made. Other problems were noted and adjustments applied, as necessary. Particularly important and surprising were observations of abnormal device behavior in many parts that could neither be explained nor correlated to causative events. Also, contrary to prevailing theory, proton effects appeared to be far more significant and numerous than cosmic ray effects. Another unexpected result was the realization that only nine out of thirty-two p-MOS dosimeters on the MEP indicated a valid operation. Comments, conclusions, and recommendations are given.

Stassinopoulos, E. G.↗

Preliminary results from the CONCAP-2-01 and EIOM-3 experiments on STS-46

CONCAP-2-01 (complex autonomous payload, first flight) was the maiden flight of 'CONCAP-2,' a secondary payload, utilizing the get-away special (GAS) carrier system, sponsored by the Consortium for Materials Development in Space (CMDS) at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH). A host of materials such as high-T(sub c) superconductor samples, metal films, polymers, carbons, and semiconducting materials were exposed to a low earth orbit (LEO) environment. We have also measured on orbit the changes in the electrical resistance of some of the high-T(sub c) materials plus carbon and silver dosimeters exposed to the space environment. The preliminary results of this experiment are compared with those from EOIM-3, both of which flew on STS-46.

Gregory, John C.↗