Radiation risk and human space exploration

• Published in: Advances in space research Vol. 31; no. 1; pp. 27 - 34
• Main Authors: Schimmerling, W., Cucinotta, F.A., Wilson, J.W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 2003
• Subjects: Aerospace Medicine; Cosmic Radiation; Extraterrestrial Environment; Humans; Mars; Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced - prevention & control; Neutrons; Program Development; Radiation Protection - instrumentation; Radiation Protection - methods; Risk Management - ethics; Risk Management - methods; Risk Management - organization & administration; Solar Activity; Space Flight - ethics; Space Flight - instrumentation; Space Flight - organization & administration; United States; United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration - organization & administration; United States; NASA Center LaRC; NASA Discipline Radiation Health; NASA Center HQS; NASA Center JSC

Radiation protection is essential to enable humans to live and work safely in space. Predictions about the nature and magnitude of the risks posed by space radiation are subject to very large uncertainties. Prudent use of worst-case scenarios may impose unacceptable constraints on shielding mass for...