title: MIDN: a spacecraft microdosimeter mission.
abstract: MIDN (MIcroDosimetry iNstrument) is a payload on the MidSTAR-I spacecraft (Midshipman Space Technology Applications Research) under development at the United States Naval Academy. MIDN is a solid-state system being designed and constructed to measure microdosimetric spectra to determine radiation quality factors for space environments. Radiation is a critical threat to the health of astronauts and to the success of missions in low-Earth orbit and space exploration. The system will consist of three separate sensors, one external to the spacecraft, one internal and one embedded in polyethylene. Design goals are mass <3 kg and power <2 W. The MidSTAR-I mission in 2006 will provide an opportunity to evaluate a preliminary version of this system. Its low power and mass makes it useful for the International Space Station and manned and unmanned interplanetary missions as a real-time system to assess and alert astronauts to enhanced radiation environments.
authors.affiliation: United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD 21402, USA.
authors.forename: V L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Pisacane
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Ziegler
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Caylor
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Flake
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Heyen
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Youngborg
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Rosenfeld
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cucinotta
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zaider
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Dicello
mesh_terms: D003359:Cosmic Radiation; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D008904:Miniaturization; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000295:instrumentation*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012106:Research; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013026:Space Flight / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D013499:Surface Properties; D013819:Thermoluminescent Dosimetry / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D014584:User-Computer Interface