Human Spaceflight - Cumulative crew radiation exposure

The accumulated dose inside a human phantom as measured
by the MTR-2B Mathroshka experiment inside the International
Space Station from 18 October 2007 until 18 March 2009.
The service “Human Spaceflight: Cumulative crew radiation exposure” aims to provide an estimate of the past radiation dose accumulated by a person in space. Radiation environments considered include Earth’s radiation belts, galactic cosmic rays, and solar energetic particles. This service is made possible by maintaining accurate records of local area radiation fluxes combined with spacecraft and human phantom shielding geometry models and onboard passive or active dosimeter data (e.g. thermoluminescent dosimeters [TLDs], tissue equivalent proportional counters [TEPCs]). The service is intended for personnel involved in providing Post Event Analysis with the reconstruction of the space particle radiation environment at a given time and location to allow the accurate evaluation of doses inside human bodies.
This service is implemented through a combination of products and tools which can be found through the following tabs along with expert support provided by the teams constituting the ESA Space Weather Service Network. Should you require further guidance in the use of this service, or have specific questions about any aspects of the service presented here, don’t hesitate to contact the Helpdesk.
A number of models and in-orbit sensor datasets are provided with the help of products and tools such as:
- the RadSpace products providing information on the radiation environment and accumulated dose in human phantoms at ISS resulting from dedicated measurement campaigns;
- measurements and derived data products from the Energetic Particle Telescope (EPT) on PROBA-V;
- measurements and derived data products from the Standard Radiation Environment Monitors (SREM) on Proba-1, Integral, Rosetta, Herschel and Planck;
- the Space Environment Information System (SPENVIS) coupling several empirical and engineering models of the space environment and its effects on spacecraft or components based on a mission plan;
- the Solar Energetic Particle Environment Modelling application (SEPEM) allowing solar energetic particle statistical analyses on an extended set of cross-calibrated data;
- the Solar Influences Data analysis Center (SIDC) Solarmap allows the user to display solar features (such as sunspots, coronal holes, filaments, etc.) on the solar disc, and navigate back and forth in time;
- the Space Weather Data Browsing and Analysis (SWE Data) is a web application that provides access to space weather environment data.
This service page is curated by the ESC Space Radiation. For further information, please contact SSCC Helpdesk.
Particle radiation is considered the main hazard for human spaceflight, specifically when considering a potential return trip to the Moon or interplanetary travel in general. However, even at Low Earth Orbit (LEO) like the International Space Station, particle radiation poses a risk. Information is thus needed to evaluate the possible health effects of space particle radiation on humans on short-and long-term space missions. This includes space environment data (e.g. particle radiation, solar X-ray and UV observations) and dose measurements.
The RadSpace products provide information on the radiation environment at the International Space Station (ISS) which can be harmful to the health of the ISS crewmembers. The data from the DOSIS and DOSIS 3D projects map the radiation environment inside the Columbus Laboratory based on passive and active radiation detectors. The results from the three MATROSHKA campaigns provide the depth dose distribution inside an anthropomorphic phantom using passive dosimeters.
Energetic particle flux measurements (electrons, protons and helium) from the Energetic Particle Telescope (EPT) on board PROBA-V at LEO can be accessed from the Products tab. A number of other particle radiation measurements are available through the Space Environment Data System (SEDAT) as well. Note that the particle fluxes need to be properly propagated through the Earth's magnetosphere if the user is interested in knowing the flux at a different altitude other than where the measurements were taken.
Measurements and detection of solar flares and coronal mass ejections are provided by the Solar Influences Data Analysis Center (SIDC) and the Kanzelhöhe Observatory (KSO). Archives of geomagnetic indices are available from the Tromsø Geophysical Observatory (TGO), the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) and SEDAT. A large set of measurements can also be accessed through the Space Weather Data Browsing and Analysis (SWE Data) web interface.
In order to study the specific radiation environment near and inside a spacecraft, a tool such as the Space Environment Information System (SPENVIS) could be used. This tool allows the execution of a set of space environment models based on a mission scenario (mission duration, typical spacecraft trajectories and spacecraft attitude) and to evaluate impacts and risks by propagating the results into engineering models. The tool includes graphical visualisation and an extended help with background information and references to the European standards. For a more comprehensive analysis of the space environment effects, the SPENVIS output could be exported to more specific applications, such as GRAS (Geant4 Radiation Analysis for Space) or SPIS (Spacecraft Plasma Interaction Software), that are taking into account the detailed geometry of the spacecraft.
For further information, please contact SSCC Helpdesk.
Solar Activity: Data Archives
Solar Activity: (Near-) Real-time Measurements
Solar Activity: Models and Reconstruction
- Synchronous synoptic maps of the solar corona in the UV and extreme-UV - Nowcast
- Synchronous synoptic maps of the solar corona in the UV and extreme-UV - Forecast
- Synchronous synoptic maps of the solar corona in the UV and extreme-UV - Archive
- Maps of thermal properties of the corona
- Maps of thermal properties of the corona
Interplanetary Medium at L1: Data Archives
Interplanetary Medium at L1: Models and Reconstruction
- Statistical long-term plasma products - L1 p>10MeV
- Automated Multi Dataset Analysis (AMDA)
- SPENVIS Short-term solar particle models
- SPENVIS Long-term solar particle models
- SPENVIS Galactic cosmic ray models
- Very high-energy solar energetic proton fluence
- Very high-energy solar energetic proton peak flux
- Solar very high-energy particle event catalogue
- Very high-energy solar proton event database
Interplanetary Medium Outside L1: Data Archives
Interplanetary Medium Outside L1: Models and Reconstruction
Magnetospheric Environment: Data Archives
- Automated Multi Dataset Analysis (AMDA)
- Kp, K, Ap, A, Dst archives on SEDAT
- Kp - planetary three-hour magnetic index archive
- 3-hourly K index: Lerwick, Eskdalemuir, Hartland
- 3-hourly Kp index
- 3-hourly K(GBI) index
- K-index from magnetometer stations in north Europe
- Most recent definitive Kp index
- Kp and Ap index archive
- Hp60 and ap60 index archive
- Hp30 and ap30 index archive
- SIDC 3-day K Dourbes forecast archive
- PROBA-V/EPT Proton flux spectra time series
- PROBA-V/EPT High-latitude/polar proton flux survey
- AZUR/EI-88 dataset on SEDAT
- GOES/SEM-EPS datasets on SEDAT
- UARS/PEM-HEPS dataset on SEDAT
- PROBA-1/SREM dataset on SEDAT
- Integral/SREM dataset on SEDAT
- IMP-8/CPME and CRNC datasets on SEDAT
- MIR/REM dataset on SEDAT
- STRV1B/REM dataset on SEDAT
- XMM/ERMD dataset on SEDAT
- SEPEM Reference proton data set
- Raw and cleaned GOES/SEM proton channels in SEPEM
- Raw IMP8/CPME proton channels in SEPEM
- Raw and cleaned IMP8/GME proton channels in SEPEM
- HESPERIA UMASEP-500
- PROBA-1/SREM radiation rates
- Integral/SREM radiation rates
- PROBA-V/EPT Helium flux spectra time series
- PROBA-V/EPT High-latitude/polar helium flux survey
- AZUR/EI-88 dataset on SEDAT
- GOES/SEM-EPS datasets on SEDAT
- METOP02/SEM2 dataset on SEDAT
- IMP-8/CPME and CRNC datasets on SEDAT
- POES/SEM-2 datasets on SEDAT
- SEPEM Reference helium data set
- Raw and cleaned GOES/SEM helium channels in SEPEM
- Raw IMP8/CPME ion channels in SEPEM
- Raw IMP8/CPME helium channels in SEPEM
- Raw and cleaned IMP8/GME helium channels in SEPEM
- Automated Multi Dataset Analysis (AMDA)
- AZUR/EI-88 dataset on SEDAT
- GOES/SEM-EPS datasets on SEDAT
- UARS/PEM-HEPS dataset on SEDAT
- IMP-8/CPME and CRNC datasets on SEDAT
- XMM/ERMD dataset on SEDAT
- SEPEM Reference proton data set
- Raw and cleaned GOES/SEM proton channels in SEPEM
- Raw IMP8/CPME proton channels in SEPEM
- Raw and cleaned IMP8/GME proton channels in SEPEM
- AZUR/EI-88 dataset on SEDAT
- GOES/SEM-EPS datasets on SEDAT
- IMP-8/CPME and CRNC datasets on SEDAT
- SEPEM Reference helium data set
- Raw and cleaned GOES/SEM helium channels in SEPEM
- Raw IMP8/CPME ion channels in SEPEM
- Raw IMP8/CPME helium channels in SEPEM
- Raw and cleaned IMP8/GME helium channels in SEPEM
- Automated Multi Dataset Analysis (AMDA)
- GOES-16 Radiation Environment
- GOES-15 Radiation Environment
- GOES-14 Radiation Environment
- GIOVE-A Radiation Environment
- Slot Region Radiation Environment
- MOSWOC Forecast
- Forecaster Summary
- Best Reconstruction of the Radiation Environment (GOES-15)
- Best Reconstruction of the Radiation Environment (GOES-14)
- Best Reconstruction of the Radiation Environment (GIOVE-A)
- Best Reconstruction of the Radiation Environment (slot)
- Best Reconstruction of the Radiation Environment (GOES-16)
- PROBA-V/EPT Electron flux spectra time series
- PROBA-V/EPT High-latitude/polar electron flux survey
- GOES/SEM-EPS datasets on SEDAT
- Meteosat-3/SEM2 dataset on SEDAT
- METOP02/SEM2 dataset on SEDAT
- CRRES/MEA dataset on SEDAT
- Equator_S/EPI dataset on SEDAT
- PROBA-1/SREM dataset on SEDAT
- Integral/SREM dataset on SEDAT
- IMP-8/CPME and CRNC datasets on SEDAT
- ISEE1/MEPI dataset on SEDAT
- ISEE1/KED dataset on SEDAT
- MIR/REM dataset on SEDAT
- STRV1B/REM dataset on SEDAT
- POES/SEM-2 datasets on SEDAT
- XMM/ERMD dataset on SEDAT
- Raw GOES/SEM >2 MeV electron channel in SEPEM
- Raw IMP8/CPME electron channels in SEPEM
- Raw IMP8/GME electron channels in SEPEM
- PROBA-1/SREM radiation rates
- Integral/SREM radiation rates
Magnetospheric Environment: (Near-) Real-time Measurements
Magnetospheric Environment: Models and Reconstruction
- PROBA-V/EPT Proton flux geographical maps
- PROBA-V/EPT SAA proton energy spectrum characterisation
- Static radiation model of energetic protons at LEO
- SEPEM Reference event list
- SPENVIS Standard radiation belt models
- SPENVIS IRENE Radiation belt models
- SPENVIS Short-term solar particle models
- SPENVIS Long-term solar particle models
- SPENVIS Galactic cosmic ray models
- Very high-energy solar energetic proton fluence
- Very high-energy solar energetic proton peak flux
- Very high-energy solar proton event database
- EDRS-C/NGRM Particle Daily Fluences
- PROBA-V/EPT Helium flux geographical maps
- PROBA-V/EPT SAA helium energy spectrum characterisation
- Static radiation model of energetic helium ions at LEO
- SPENVIS Short-term solar particle models
- SPENVIS Long-term solar particle models
- SPENVIS Galactic cosmic ray models
- High-energy solar heavy ion fluence model
- High-energy solar heavy ion peak flux
- Automated Multi Dataset Analysis (AMDA)
- PROBA-V/EPT Electron flux geographical maps
- PROBA-V/EPT Auroral electron energy spectrum characterisation
- Static radiation model of energetic electrons at LEO
- SPENVIS Standard radiation belt models
- SPENVIS IRENE Radiation belt models
- SPENVIS Internal deep dielectric charging
- EDRS-C/NGRM Particle Daily Fluences
Thermospheric and Atmospheric Conditions: Data Archives
Thermospheric and Atmospheric Conditions: Models and Reconstruction
Spacecraft Effects and Anomalies: Data Archives
Spacecraft Effects and Anomalies: (Near-) Real-time Measurements
Spacecraft Effects and Anomalies: Models and Reconstruction
SPENVIS (Space Environment Information System) is a web-based interface for assessing the space environment and its effects on spacecraft systems and crews. The system is used for mission analysis and planning. SPENVIS includes several empirical models of the space environment covering mainly cosmic rays, solar energetic particles, the natural radiation belts, magnetic fields, space plasmas and the upper atmosphere. A range of engineering models are also available to help assess the effects of the space environment on spacecraft such as surface and internal charging, energy deposition, solar cell damage and SEU rates. Usually these later models take their inputs from the empirical models present in SPENVIS. The system also includes extensive background information on the space environment, the environment models and the related standards.
SEPEM (Solar Energetic Particle Environment Modelling) is a WWW interface to solar energetic particle data and a range of modelling tools and functionalities intended to support space mission design. The system provides an implementation of several well known modelling methodologies, built on cleaned datasets. It also gives the user increased flexibility in his/her analysis and allows generation of mission integrated fluence statistics, peak flux statistics and other functionalities. It also integrates effects tools that calculate single event upset rates and radiation doses for a variety of scenarios.
SWE Data is a web application that provides access to a wide range of Space Weather related data sources covering the areas of the spacecraft, ionospheric, and ground effects. SWE Data allows the user to access all data contained in the repository providing analysis and visualisation tools from these disparate sources.
The AMDA system provides an archive of planetary, solar wind, Earth magnetosphere and ionosphere mission and ground based products. In addition it supports a range of standard models such as magnetic footprints, magnetic fields, solar wind propagation to planets and probes as well as access to external databases of observations and simulations. A key functionality of the system is its embedded plotting, data mining and cataloguing functionalities which are extremely useful in relation to posteriori analysis.
No alerts are associated with this service.
This section provides links to web pages or resources that are not part of the ESA Space Weather Service Network or esa.int domain. These sites are not under ESA control, and therefore ESA is not responsible for any of the information or links that you may find there.
Reference documents
- Directive 2013/59/Euratom Basic safety standards for protection against the dangers arising from exposure to ionising radiation.
- ECSS-E-ST-10-04C Space environment (15 June 2020)
- ECSS-E-ST-10-12C Method for the calculation of radiation received and its effects, and a policy for design margins (issued on 15 November 2008)
- ECSS-E-HB-10-12A Calculation of radiation and its effects and margin policy handbook (issued on 17 December 2010)