Fact Sheet

Text Size

Radi-N2 Neutron Field Study (Radi-N2)
05.08.13

OpNom:

Overview | Description | Applications | Operations | Results | Publications | Imagery

Experiment Overview

This content was provided by Leena Tomi, Martin Smith, and is maintained in a database by the ISS Program Science Office.

Brief Summary

Radi-N2 Neutron Field Study (Radi-N2) is a follow on investigation designed to characterize the neutron radiation environment aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Eight neutron “bubble detectors” produced by the Canadian company Bubble Technology Industries are attached to fixed locations inside the ISS, including one carried by a crewmember. The objective of this investigation is to better characterize the ISS neutron environment and define the risk posed to the crewmembers’ health and provide the data necessary to develop advanced protective measures for future space flight.

Principal Investigator(s)

  • Leena Tomi, Canadian Space Agency, Saint Hubert, Quebec, Canada
  • Martin Smith, Bubble Technology Industries Inc, Chalk River, Ontario, Canada

    • Co-Investigator(s)/Collaborator(s)

  • Vyacheslav A. Shurshakov, Institute of Biomedical Problems, Moscow, Russia

    • Developer(s)

    Bubble Technology Industries, Incorporated, Chalk River, Ontario, Canada

    Sponsoring Space Agency

    Canadian Space Agency (CSA)

    Sponsoring Organization

    Information Pending

    Research Benefits

    Information Pending

    ISS Expedition Duration:

    September 2012 - September 2014

    Expeditions Assigned

    33/34,35/36,37/38,39/40

    Previous ISS Missions

    Radi-N 1 Increment 20/21

    ^ back to top


    Experiment Description

    Research Overview

    • Study is supported by the ISS Radiation Health Working Group in its aim to better characterize the neutron environment aboard the ISS. Better understanding of the neutron contribution will assist in the development of more effective countermeasures. Neutrons are of particular interest to radiation health and protection as neutrons have higher radiation Quality Factor (QF) and since they have not been well characterized by operational monitoring. It has been recognized that neutrons make up a significant fraction (10-30%) of the biologically effective radiation exposure in low-Earth orbit (i.e. International Space Station).


    • Study is a continuation of Radi-N1 done in Increment 20/21, and will repeat the measurements in the same/equivalent locations aboard the ISS: USLab, JEM (Nominal), COLUMBUS, Node2 (Reserve) The additional data will increase the statistical accuracy of the neutron measurements and also allow comparison of neutron fields at different periods of the solar cycle.


    • Results of Radi-N 1 & 2 study will allow better understanding of radiation environment aboard the International Space Station. The utilization of newly developed Bubble Detector Spectrometer will help characterize the neutron spectrum on board, and measurements in different ISS locations will provide a means of assessing the neutron field symmetry in different modules of the Station. Measuring the average dose within different segments of ISS will help with development of radiation protection plan for future missions.

    Description

    Information Pending

    ^ back to top


    Applications

    Space Applications

    Neutrons are nuclear "splinters" produced when cosmic rays strike the atoms of a spacecraft or even the human body. Earlier experiments with Matroshka-R, a "phantom" body, revealed that astronauts absorb larger doses of neutron radiation than expected, possibly from cosmic rays striking atoms in their bodies. Mapping across the ISS will help reveal neutron sources and exposure dangers.

    Earth Applications

    Because they carry no electrical charge, neutrons have greater potential to penetrate the body and damage tissue. RaDI-N 2 will help doctors understand better the connections between neutron radiation and DNA damage and mutation rates, cataracts that affect some astronauts, and other radiation health issues.

    ^ back to top


    Operations

    Operational Requirements

    Information Pending

    Operational Protocols

    Information Pending

    ^ back to top


    Results/More Information

    Information Pending

    ^ back to top


    Related Websites

    ^ back to top


    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.
    › Back To Top