Description of Driving Event:
Radiation Research and Protection Implementation Planning at NASA
Lesson(s) Learned:
The NASA personnel who are involved in finding solutions for the problems of radiation in space have developed an excellent long-range plan to define approaches for crew protection.
Recommendation(s):
Continue to support the nascent, but better defined, radiation effects research and development program.
Evidence of Recurrence Control Effectiveness:
NASA concurs with the ASAP recommendation. NASA has focused on solutions for the radiation program. Our recommendations include: (1) Completing and expanding on efforts made in the May 1999 EVA Radiation Protection Summit held at JSC to improve radiation protection. This involves development of an active personnel dosimeter to be worn on the extravehicular mobility unit (EMU) (first test flight to be in Fall of 2000), study of possible shielding improvements for EMU and design of localized shielding enhancements to ISS, and development of trapped radiation models; (2) Increasing coordination between NASA's Office of Life and Microgravity Sciences and Applications, the JSC Radiation Health Program, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and NASA's Office of Space Science on forecasting and monitoring changes in space weather; and (3) Improving coordination of radiation protection across NASA. To further the coordination across NASA, Dr. Richard Williams, from NASA Headquarters, Office of Life and Microgravity Sciences and Applications, has been appointed as head of a task group to develop an Agencywide plan to implement this objective.
Documents Related to Lesson:
N/A
Mission Directorate(s):
- Space Operations
- Exploration Systems
Additional Key Phrase(s):
- Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel
- Hazardous/Toxic Waste/Materials
- Medical
- Occupational Health
- Policy & Planning
- Research & Development
- Safety & Mission Assurance
- Spacecraft
Additional Info:
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