Biology relevant to space radiation Page: 4 of 37
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predictions of effects on the crews in space are all based either: 1) on experimental systems
exposed on earth at rates and fluences that are higher than those encountered in space or 2) on
the effects of gamma or X rays with estimates of the equivalent doses using quality factors.
Factors That Influence the Biological Effects
Dr. Robbins has described the radiation environments and the component types of
radiation, in particular protons and their secondaries, as well as the small but important
component of GCR, namely heavy ions. The characteristics that are important to the
understanding of their biological effects and the assessment of the risk are: 1) total doses that
may be incurred on particular missions, 2) dose and fluence rates, 3) protraction, and 4) LET,
energy, and track structure of the particles.
Total Dose
The factors that influence the total equivalent dose during mission in low-earth orbit are:
1) duration, 2) altitude, 3) orbital inclination, and 4) the shielding. In the case of deep space
missions, the radiation from the sporadic solar particle events (SPE) must also be taken into
account.
The total dose incurred on the US space missions have been low because, with the
exception of Skylab, the durations of the missions have been short. In contrast, the exposure
C:\WPWIN60\WPDOCS\FRY\SPACERAD.RPT 2
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Fry, R. J. M. Biology relevant to space radiation, article, August 1996; Tennessee. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc686716/m1/4/: accessed April 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.