Open AccessCosmic radiation dose measurements from the RaD‐X flight campaign
Author(s) -
Mertens Christopher J.,
Gronoff Guillaume P.,
Norman Ryan B.,
Hayes Bryan M.,
Lusby Terry C.,
Straume Tore,
Tobiska W. Kent,
Hands Alex,
Ryden Keith,
Benton Eric,
Wiley Scott,
Gersey Brad,
Wilkins Richard,
Xu Xiaojing
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
space weather
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.254
H-Index - 56
ISSN - 1542-7390
DOI - 10.1002/2016sw001407
Subject(s) - cosmic ray , radiation , physics , balloon , ionizing radiation , dosimetry , environmental science , altitude (triangle) , cosmic cancer database , dosimeter , aerospace engineering , remote sensing , nuclear medicine , optics , astrophysics , nuclear physics , irradiation , engineering , geography , medicine , geometry , mathematics , cardiology
The NASA Radiation Dosimetry Experiment (RaD‐X) stratospheric balloon flight mission obtained measurements for improving the understanding of cosmic radiation transport in the atmosphere and human exposure to this ionizing radiation field in the aircraft environment. The value of dosimetric measurements from the balloon platform is that they can be used to characterize cosmic ray primaries, the ultimate source of aviation radiation exposure. In addition, radiation detectors were flown to assess their potential application to long‐term, continuous monitoring of the aircraft radiation environment. The RaD‐X balloon was successfully launched from Fort Sumner, New Mexico (34.5°N, 104.2°W) on 25 September 2015. Over 18 h of flight data were obtained from each of the four different science instruments at altitudes above 20 km. The RaD‐X balloon flight was supplemented by contemporaneous aircraft measurements. Flight‐averaged dosimetric quantities are reported at seven altitudes to provide benchmark measurements for improving aviation radiation models. The altitude range of the flight data extends from commercial aircraft altitudes to above the Pfotzer maximum where the dosimetric quantities are influenced by cosmic ray primaries. The RaD‐X balloon flight observed an absence of the Pfotzer maximum in the measurements of dose equivalent rate.