Radiation Hazards to Crews of Interplanetary Missions; Biological Issues and Research Strategies
Washington DC: National Academy Press, 1996. Presumed First Edition, First printing. Wraps. The format is approximately 8.25 inches by 10.75 inches. xii, 75, [1] pages. Illustrated front cover. Some red ink marks noted. Figures. Tables. References. This is one of the National Academies Compass Series. Astronauts who venture beyond the protection of Earth's atmosphere and magnetosphere risk exposure to levels of radiation far exceeding those on Earth. Of all the risks, this one is probably the most straightforward to control—by providing adequate shielding. However, because shielding adds weight, cost, and complexity to space vehicles, it is very important for designers to have a good, quantitative understanding of the risk and its degree of certainty. This report assesses our understanding of radiation hazards in space. It also considers the additional research needed to reduce the areas of uncertainty, research that must be completed prior to undertaking the detailed design of a vehicle carrying crew members into space for periods of extended exposure. The report finds that it will take more than a decade of research to answer even the narrowest set of key questions. The nation has backed away from a specific timetable for human exploration of the moon and Mars. Yet it seems plausible that such expeditions will be mounted sometime in the first quarter of the 21st century, especially given the recent resurgence of interest in possible life on Mars from the study of meteorites. It becomes clear, when the lengthy time scale of the research is also taken into account, that the present report is indeed timely and should receive prompt consideration by NASA planners. More