Implementation of alara radiation protection on the iss through polyethylene shielding augmentation of the service module crew quarters
Abstract
With 5-7 month long duration missions at 51.6 degrees inclination in Low Earth Orbit, the ionizing radiation levels to which International Space Station (ISS) crewmembers are exposed will be the highest planned occupational exposures in the world. Even with the expectation that regulatory dose limits will not be exceeded during a single tour of duty aboard the ISS, the "as low as reasonably achievable" (ALARA) precept requires that radiological risks be minimized when possible through a dose optimization process. Judicious placement of efficient shielding materials in locations where crewmembers sleep, rest, or work is an important means for implementing ALARA for spaceflight. Polyethylene (CnHn) is a relatively inexpensive, stable, and, with a low atomic number, an effective shielding material that has been certified for use aboard the ISS. Several designs for placement of slabs or walls of polyethylene have been evaluated for radiation exposure reduction in the Crew Quarters (CQ) of the Zvezda (Star) Service Module. Optimization of shield designs relies on accurate characterization of the expected primary and secondary particle environment and modeling of the predicted radiobiological responses of critical organs and tissues. Results of the studies shown herein indicate that 20% or more reduction in equivalent dose to the CQ occupant is achievable. These results suggest that shielding design and risk analysis are necessary measures for reducing long-term radiological risks to ISS inhabitants and for meeting legal ALARA requirements. Verification of shield concepts requires results from specific designs to be compared with onboard dosimetry.
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The use of shielding materials such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE) has been extensively explored as environmental radiation protection in space.
“Therefore, while the use of shielding materials such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE) has been extensively explored as environmental radiation protection in space (8–11), StemRad and Lockheed Martin worked to create a low-mass emergency countermeasure solution in the form of a personal radiation shielding garment, termed the “AstroRad vest,” intended to be worn by astronauts during SPEs in deep”
From First evaluation of wearable radiation protection for human deep space exploration, as flown on Artemis I (2026) · cites this paper as [10]
Shavers et al. determined that the doses received by astronauts during extended ISS missions were typically greater than 70 mSv.
“Shavers et al. determined that the doses received by astronauts during extended ISS missions were typically greater than 70 mSv [31].”
From Space Radiation: The number one risk to astronaut health beyond low earth orbit (2014) · cites this paper as [31]
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- Authors
- Shavers, M. R., Zapp, N., Barber, R. E., Wilson, J. W., Qualls, G., Toupes, L., Ramsey, S., Vinci, V., Smith, G., & Cucinotta, F. A.
- Affiliations
- Wyle (United States) (US)
- Lockheed Martin (United States) (US)
- Langley Research Center (US)
- Johnson Space Center (US)
- Corresponding author
- Shavers, M.R.
- Venue
- Advances in Space Research
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2004
- Volume
- 34
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 1333-1337
- ISSN
- 0273-1177 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2044975289
- Cited by
- 116
- References
- 8
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 20 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 2.21
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Advances in Space Research (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine › Radiation Therapy and Dosimetry
- Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Materials Chemistry › Radiation Shielding Materials Analysis
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging › Radiation Dose and Imaging
- Keywords
- ALARA principle, radiation shielding, polyethylene shielding, International Space Station, crew radiation exposure, low Earth orbit, dose optimization, shielding design, long-duration spaceflight
- MeSH terms
- Cosmic Radiation, Extraterrestrial Environment, Facility Design and Construction, Humans, Radiation Dosage, Radiation Protection, Risk, Space Flight, United States, Astronauts, Spacecraft, United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Polyethylene
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