Radiation dosimetry for microbial experiments in the International Space Station using different etched track and luminescent detectors.
The laboratory of Microbiology at SCK.CEN, in collaboration with different universities, participates in several ESA programmes with bacterial experiments that are carried out in the International Space Station (ISS). The main objective of these programmes is to study the effects of space flight conditions such as microgravity and cosmic radiation on the general behaviour of model bacteria. To measure the radiation doses received by the bacteria, different detectors accompanied the microbiological experiments. The results obtained during two space flight missions are discussed. This dosimetry experiment was a collaboration between different institutes so that the doses could be estimated by different techniques. For measurement of the high linear energy transfer (LET) doses (>10 keV microm(-1)), two types of etched track detectors were used. The low LET part of the spectrum was measured by three types of thermoluminescent detectors ((7)LiF:Mg,Ti; (7)LiF:Mg,Cu,P; Al(2)O(3):C) and by the optically stimulated luminescence technique using Al(2)O(3):C detectors.
Goossens
O
O
SCK.CEN, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium.
Vanhavere
F
F
Leys
N
N
De Boever
P
P
O'Sullivan
D
D
Zhou
D
D
Spurny
F
F
Yukihara
E G
EG
Gaza
R
R
McKeever
S W S
SW
D003359:Cosmic Radiation; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D008829:Microbiology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000295:instrumentation*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013026:Space Flight / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D013499:Surface Properties; D013819:Thermoluminescent Dosimetry / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods