title: Investigation of the low-energy component of primary cosmic radiation on the outside of spacecrafts.
abstract: We have developed a method to investigate the low-energy radiation environment on the outside of spacecrafts.  Thereby, ultra-thin thermoluminescent (TL) detectors on the base of CaF2:Mn-PTFE are arranged in stacks and exposed to the unshielded cosmic radiation.  The dose distribution within a stack is determined by successive evaluation of the thin TL sheets.  The analysis of LiF thermoluminescent detector glow curves permits conclusions on the dose contribution caused by either low-energy electrons or by protons.  The method was applied aboard Russian COSMOS spacecrafts as well as the MIR station.  It was shown that along low-earth orbits dose rates up to 10 Gy/day within the first few mg/cm2 are typical, mainly as a result of the electron impact.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Radiation Protection Physics, Dresden University of Technology, Germany.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fellinger
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hahn
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hubner
mesh_terms: D003359:Cosmic Radiation; D004583:Electrons; D005459:Fluorides; D018499:Linear Energy Transfer; D018020:Lithium Compounds; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011835:Radiation Protection; D013026:Space Flight / Q000295:instrumentation*; D018531:Spacecraft; D013819:Thermoluminescent Dosimetry
chemical_list: D018020:Lithium Compounds; C027651:lithium fluoride; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D005459:Fluorides