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Cosmic ray LET spectra and doses on board Cosmos-2044 biosatellite.

Results of the experiments on board Cosmos-2044 (Biosatellite 9) are presented. Various nuclear track detectors (NTD) (dielectric, AgCl-based, nuclear emulsions) were used to obtain the LET spectra inside and outside the satellite. The spectra from the different NTDs have proved to be in general agreement. The results of LET spectra calculations using two different models are also presented. The resultant LET distributions are used to calculate the absorbed and equivalent doses and the orbit-averaged quality factors (QF) of the cosmic rays (CR). Absorbed dose rates inside (approximately 20 g cm-2 shielding) and outside (1 g cm-2) the spacecraft, omitting electrons, were found to be 4.8 and 8.6 mrad d-1, respectively, while the corresponding equivalent doses were 8.8 and 19.7 mrem d-1. The effects of the flight parameters on the total fluence of, and on the dose from, the CR particles are analyzed. Integral dose distributions of the detected particles are also determined. The LET values which separate absorbed and equivalent doses into 50% intervals are estimated. The CR-39 dielectric NTD is shown to detect 20-30% of the absorbed dose and 60-70% of the equivalent dose in the Cosmos-2044 orbit. The influence of solar activity phase on the magnitude of CR flux is discussed.

Cosmic Radiation↗

The charge spectrum of heavy cosmic ray nuclei measured in the Biostack experiment aboard Apollo 16 using plastic detectors.

In the Biostack experiment flown aboard Apollo 16 plastic detectors were used to select those individual biological objects which were hit by single heavy cosmic-ray nuclei during the 266 hours of space flight. The energy loss deposited in the biological object can be determined. This method needs a separate calibration in every experiment, i.e. an individual track etching rate as function of the energy loss. This calibration is given. An area of 36 cm2 of eight cellulose nitrate sheets was scanned for tracks of heavy cosmic-ray particles that stopped in the sheets. About 200 particles could be evaluated. Calibration was achieved using the oxygen isotope 16O of the cosmic-ray ions and the charge spectrum of all measured particles (Z=5-16) could be obtained.

Calibration↗

Experimental methods of correlation between the trajectories of cosmic heavy ions and biological objects: dosimetric results from the Biostack experiment on Apollo 16 and 17.

The biological objects in the Biostack are stacked alternately between physical detectors of HZE particle tracks which include nuclear emulsions. The pattern of the biological objects is transferred to the upper side of the adjacent emulsion by optical illumination. On each sheet of nuclear emulsion a coordinate grid is transferred to the bottom side by optical illumination. The visible track left by the passage of the heavy ion can then be very clearly localized. The charge of the ions is determined by photometric measurements of the tracks. These measurements are calibrated with known tracks of heavy ions accelerated at the Bevatron at Berkeley. The results are given as: flux, number of stars per cm3, charge of the ions, comparison with other detectors (plastics, AgCl crystals, LiF), energy loss, hit region in the biological objects.

Cosmic Radiation↗

Preliminary results on the action of cosmic heavy ions on the development of eggs of Artemia salina.

The Biostack experiment (Principal Investigators: H. Bucker) aboard Apollo 16 contained one unit with eggs of the brine shrimp Artemia salina. The eggs were fixed in polyvinyl alcohol foils. Nuclear emulsions and plastics were used as track detectors. The development of 260 eggs hit by cosmic heavy ions was investigated. It differed significantly from the development of the flight controls--eggs flown in the Biostack but not hit by heavy ions--and of the ground controls. From these results it was concluded that a hit of a single heavy ion may injure the encysted blastula. This damage was found to influence the gastrula formation and even the hatching process of the nauplius. Abnormalities of the orthonauplius were observed during the development of the hit eggs. These are shortened extremities, or abnormal thorax or abdomen. In addition, in the Biostack II aboard Apollo 17 eggs of Tribolium confusum and Carausius morosus were included. The influence of single heavy ions on the development process of these highly organized insects was investigated.

Animals↗

Study of cosmic ray effects on Artemia salina eggs during the Apollo 16 and 17 flights.

We have used Artemia salina eggs, embedded in polyvinyl alcohol, to study the biological effects of heavy ions of cosmic rays. Each biological layer was sandwiched between track detectors. Hit eggs by heavy ions show a great inhibition of their developmental ability. A lower inhibition is observed for eggs that were flown but not hit. Simulation experiments are in progress to determine the factors responsible for inhibition of eggs that were not hit and to improve our knowledge of cellular damage induced by heavy ions.

Animals↗

Viability of Bacillus subtilis spores exposed to space environment in the M-191 experiment system aboard Apollo 16.

During the Apollo 16 space flight, in the experiment system M-191, (microbial response to space environment) spores of Bacillus subtilis 168 were exposed to space vacuum or solar UV irradiation with a peak wavelength of 254 nm or both. The effects of these space factors on the colony-forming ability of the spores were studied. It was found (i) that space vacuum alone did not affect the survival of pre-dried spores; (ii) that space vacuum in combination with solar UV irradiation with a peak wavelength of 254 nm had a synergistic effect, which may by attributed to a UV supersensitivity of the spores during vacuum exposure. These results agreed with findings of simulation experiments on earth. It was concluded that air dried spores may survive exposure to space vacuum if shielded against solar UV irradiation.

Bacillus subtilis↗

An apparatus for studying electroretinographic responses under conditions of space flight.

This project has developed so as to include the total range of electroretinographic responses under conditions of space flight. We built two special containers which made stratospheric balloon flights. The second prototype carries the following specifications: Immobilisation of two frogs; Light stimulation by flashes; Special corneal electrodes; Amplification and recording system. There is almost no tissue damage after prolonged observation (several days) of the animals and the electroretinographic responses do not show any significant changes. Such an apparatus could be used as the basis for an assembly to be incorporated into Spacelab.

Animals↗

Radiobiological investigations in Cosmos 782 space flight (Biobloc SF1 experiment).

Several biological objects were flown in Cosmos 782 in order to investigate the effects of HZE cosmic particles and other environmental factors of space. Space flight results in chromosomic aberrations in lettuce seeds, decreased germination rate and increased frequency of abnormalities in tobacco seeds and decreased developmental capacity in Artemia eggs. In lettuce and tobacco seedlings, changes were observed not only in seeds hit by heavy ions but also in nonhit seeds. The results indicate that exposure to the space environment can induce important changes in biological objects and emphasize the usefulness of investigations carried out on organisms less complex than mammals.

Animals↗

Preliminary results of Cytos experiment flown in Salyut VI: investigations on Paramecium aurelia.

The purpose of the Cytos experiment was to investigate a possible effect of space flight on cell proliferation kinetics. Cultures of Paramecium aurelia successively maintained at a temperature of 8 degrees and 25 degrees C were fixed every twelve hours during the orbital flight. Space flight resulted in a stimulating effect on cell proliferation, an increase in cell volume and changes in the ionic components of the culture medium.

Animals↗

Variations in the recombination rate of Drosophila melanogaster induced by balloon flight.

Drosophila males, heterozygous for b, pr, cn and en genes, were submitted to balloon flights, ceiling time ranging from about 8 hours (flights performed in France) to 22 hours (transmediterranean flight). Effects on recombination were investigated on progeny after breeding with females homozygous for the same genes. The transmediterranean flight and one flight performed in France resulted in a significantly higher recombination rate.

Animals↗

The FLUKA code for space applications: recent developments.

The FLUKA Monte Carlo transport code is widely used for fundamental research, radioprotection and dosimetry, hybrid nuclear energy system and cosmic ray calculations. The validity of its physical models has been benchmarked against a variety of experimental data over a wide range of energies, ranging from accelerator data to cosmic ray showers in the earth atmosphere. The code is presently undergoing several developments in order to better fit the needs of space applications. The generation of particle spectra according to up-to-date cosmic ray data as well as the effect of the solar and geomagnetic modulation have been implemented and already successfully applied to a variety of problems. The implementation of suitable models for heavy ion nuclear interactions has reached an operational stage. At medium/high energy FLUKA is using the DPMJET model. The major task of incorporating heavy ion interactions from a few GeV/n down to the threshold for inelastic collisions is also progressing and promising results have been obtained using a modified version of the RQMD-2.4 code. This interim solution is now fully operational, while waiting for the development of new models based on the FLUKA hadron-nucleus interaction code, a newly developed QMD code, and the implementation of the Boltzmann master equation theory for low energy ion interactions.

Computer Simulation↗

Dose equivalent, absorbed dose and charge spectrum investigation in low Earth orbit.

Particle intensity, dose equivalent and absorbed dose have been measured on board the space shuttle Endeavour during STS-108 in December 2001 by Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS). The dose estimates are based on very accurate measurements of recoils produced in CR-39 by cosmic ray primary and secondary protons and heavier nuclei and by secondary neutrons. The corresponding LET spectra were used to determine dose equivalent and absorbed dose values. Estimates of the total flux of Z > or = 2 nuclei have been undertaken and a preliminary charge spectrum was measured. Some comparisons are made with preliminary data obtained on STS-105 (ISS Expedition) and other missions using CR-39 detectors.

Cosmic Radiation↗

Deep space environments for human exploration.

Mission scenarios outside the Earth's protective magnetic shield are being studied. Included are high usage assets in the near-Earth environment for casual trips, for research, and for commercial/operational platforms, in which career exposures will be multi-mission determined over the astronaut's lifetime. The operational platforms will serve as launching points for deep space exploration missions, characterized by a single long-duration mission during the astronaut's career. The exploration beyond these operational platforms will include missions to planets, asteroids, and planetary satellites. The interplanetary environment is evaluated using convective diffusion theory. Local environments for each celestial body are modeled by using results from the most recent targeted spacecraft, and integrated into the design environments. Design scenarios are then evaluated for these missions. The underlying assumptions in arriving at the model environments and their impact on mission exposures within various shield materials will be discussed.

Aerospace Medicine↗

On statistical relationship of solar, geomagnetic and human activities.

Data of galactic cosmic rays, solar and geomagnetic activities and solar wind parameters on the one side and car accident events (CAE) in Poland on the other have been analyzed in order to reveal the statistical relationships among them for the period of 1990-2001. Cross correlation and cross spectrum of the galactic cosmic ray intensity, the solar wind (SW) velocity, Kp index of geomagnetic activity and CAE in Poland have been carried out. It is shown that in some epochs of the above-mentioned period there is found a reliable relationship between CAE and solar and geomagnetic activities parameters in the range of the different periodicities, especially, 7 days. The periodicity of 7 days revealed in the data of the CAE has the maximum on Friday without any exception for the minimum and maximum epochs of solar activity. However, the periodicity of 7 days is reliably revealed in other parameters characterizing galactic cosmic rays, SW, solar and geomagnetic activities, especially for the minimum epoch of solar activity. The periodicity of 3.5 days found in the series of CAE data more or less can be completely ascribed to the social effects, while the periodicity of 7 days can be ascribed to the social effect or/to the processes on the Sun, in the interplanetary space and in the Earth's magnetosphere and atmosphere.

Accidents, Traffic↗

Absorbed dose of secondary neutrons from galactic cosmic rays inside the International Space Station.

In this paper, we present the results of Monte-Carlo simulations of the flux and energy spectra of neutrons generated as a result of galactic cosmic ray proton interactions with the material of International Space Station (ISS) inside Zvezda Service Module, the Airlock between Russian and USA segments and one of Russian Research Modules for a full configuration of ISS. Calculations were made for ISS orbit for the energy ranges <10 and >10 MeV for both maximum and minimum of solar activity. To test the accuracy of the calculations the same simulations were made for MIR orbital station and for CORONAS-I satellite and compared with the results of measurements. Calculated and measured fluxes are in reasonable agreement.

Cosmic Radiation↗

DNA DSB induced by iron ions in human fibroblasts: LET dependence and shielding efficiency.

This paper reports on DNA DSB induction in human fibroblasts by iron ions of different energies, namely 5, 1 GeV/u, 414 and 115 MeV/u, in absence or presence of different shields (PMMA, Al and Pb). Measure of DNA DSB was performed by calibrated Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis using the fragment counting method. The RBE-LET relationships for unshielded and shielded beams were obtained both in terms of dose average LET and of track average LET. Weak dependence on these parameters was observed for DSB induction. The shielding efficiency, evaluated by the ratio between the cross sections for unshielded and shielded beams, depends not only on the shield type and thickness, but also on the beam energy. Protection is only observed at high iron ions energy, especially at 5 GeV/u, where PMMA shield gives higher protection compared to Al or Pb shields of the same thickness expressed in g/cm2.

Aluminum↗

High LET-induced H2AX phosphorylation around the Bragg curve.

We investigated the spatial distribution of the induction of the phosphorylated form of the histone protein H2AX (gamma-H2AX), known to be activated by DSBs. Following irradiation of human fibroblast cells with 600 MeV/nucleon silicon and 600 MeV/nucleon iron ions we observed the formation of gamma-H2AX aggregates in the shape of streaks stretching over several micrometers in an x/y plane. Polyethylene shielding was used to achieve a Bragg curve distribution with beam geometry parallel to the monolayer of cells. We present data that highlights the formation of immunofluorescent gamma-H2AX tracks showing the ion trajectories across the Bragg peak of irradiated human fibroblast cells. Qualitative analyses of these distributions indicated potentially increased clustering of DNA damage before the Bragg peak, enhanced gamma-H2AX distribution at the peak, and provided visual evidence of high-linear energy transfer particle traversal of cells beyond the Bragg peak in agreement with one-dimensional transport approximations. Spatial assessment of gamma-H2AX fluorescence may provide direct insights into DNA damage across the Bragg curve for high charge and energy ions including the biological consequences of shielding and possible contributors to bystander effects.

Bystander Effect↗