Occupational Exposure to Ionizing Radiation for Crews of Suborbital Spacecraft: Questions and Answers

[摘要] Crewmembers on future suborbital commercial spaceflights will be occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation, principally from galactic cosmic radiation. On infrequent occasions, the sun or thunderstorms may also contribute significantly to the ionizing radiation received during such travel. Altitudes of suborbital spacecraft flights are too low for trapped radiation in the Van Allen belts to be of concern. Ionizing radiation consists of subatomic particles that, on interacting with an atom, can cause the atom to lose one or more orbital electrons or even break apart its nucleus. Such events in body tissues may lead to health problems.

[发布机构] FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine - Civil Aerospace Medical Institute

[关键词] Spacecraft;Crewmembers;Ionizing Radiation;Galactic Cosmic Radiation;Solar Cosmic Radiation;Cancer Risk;Hereditary Risks;Radiation Exposure Limits