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Scientists and payload developers can get more information on International Space Station research facilities by contacting the ISS Payloads Office or at 281-244-6187.

Radiation Area Monitor (RAM)
04.26.13

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Summary | Overview | Operations | Results | Publications | Imagery

Facility Summary

This content was provided by Fadi M. Riman, and is maintained in a database by the ISS Program Science Office.

Brief Summary

The Radiation Area Monitor (RAM) is a small set of thermoluminescent detectors encased in Lexan plastic that respond to radiation; the amount of radiation they absorb can be revealed by applying heat and measuring the amount of visible light released. The RAM is used to monitor dose and dose equivalent within the habitable volume of the International space Station (ISS) as a function of location, due to its predicted low sensitivity to high-Linear Energy Transfer radiation (neutrons and alpha particles).

Facility Manager(s)

  • Fadi M. Riman, Engineering and Science Contract Group, Houston, TX, United States

    • Facility Representative(s)

    Information Pending

    Developer(s) Information Pending

    Sponsoring Space Agency

    National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

    Sponsoring Organization

    Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate (HEOMD)

    ISS Expedition Duration

    March 2001 - March 2010

    Expeditions Assigned

    2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19/20,21/22

    Previous ISS Missions

    Information Pending

    Availability

  • Retired/Returned/Disposed

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    Facility Overview

    • The International Space Station (ISS) Radiation Area Monitor (RAM), monitors the interior ionizing radiation environment of the ISS and telemeters that information at regular intervals to ground teams on Earth.


    • The solid-state detectors measure radiation dose levels, and information about the directionality and quality of the radiation environment is collected by charged particle spectrometers.
    The Radiation Area Monitor (RAM) is a small set of thermoluminescent detectors (TLD) encased in a Lexan holder. The material responds to radiation via electronic excitation states in the various TLD materials. After exposure, the amount of absorbed energy (dose) is determined by applying heat and measuring the amount of visible light released as these excited states are returned to equilibrium. RAMs are placed in throughout the volumes of both the ISS and the Space Shuttle. The ISS monitors are swapped out during the periodic Shuttle missions. RAMs are attached to structures distributed throughout the ISS (4-6/module; 2-4/node). Data are stored and analyzed postflight to determine ISS radiation levels.

    Operations

    Facility Operations

    RAMs are attached to structures distributed throughout the ISS (4-6/module; 2-4/node). Data are stored and analyzed postflight to determine ISS radiation levels.

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    Results/More Information

    Information Pending

    Results Publications

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    Ground Based Results Publications

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    ISS Patents

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    Related Publications

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    Related Websites

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    Imagery

    Information provided by the investigation team to the ISS Program Scientist's Office.
    If updates are needed to the summary please contact JSC-ISS-Program-Science-Group. For other general questions regarding space station research and technology, please feel free to call our help line at 281-244-6187 or e-mail at JSC-ISS-Research-Helpline.
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