title: Estimates of HZE particle contributions to SPE radiation exposures on interplanetary missions.
abstract: Estimates of radiation doses resulting from possible HZE (high energy heavy ion) components of solar particle events (SPEs) are presented for crews of manned interplanetary missions.  The calculations assume a model spectrum obtained by folding measured solar flare HZE particle abundances with the measured energy spectra of SPE alpha particles.  These hypothetical spectra are then transported through aluminum spacecraft shielding.  The results, presented as estimates of absorbed dose and dose equivalent, indicate that HZE components by themselves are not a major concern for crew protection but should be included in any overall risk assessment.  The predictions are found to be sensitive to the assumed spectral hardness parameters.
authors.affiliation: NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA 23681-0001, USA.
authors.forename: L W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Townsend
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Cucinotta
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bagga
mesh_terms: D000512:Alpha Particles; D000535:Aluminum; D001853:Bone Marrow; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003359:Cosmic Radiation; D004601:Elementary Particles; D005118:Extraterrestrial Environment; D006801:Humans; D007477:Ions; D007908:Lens, Crystalline; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012867:Skin; D016082:Solar System; D013026:Space Flight
chemical_list: D007477:Ions; D000535:Aluminum