title: MSL-RAD radiation environment measurements.
abstract: In this study, results are presented from the on-board radiation assessment detector (RAD) of Mars Science Laboratory (MSL). RAD is designed to measure the energetic particle radiation environment, which consists of galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) and solar energetic particles (SEPs) as well as secondary particles created by nuclear interactions of primary particles in the shielding (during cruise) or Martian soil and atmosphere (surface measurements). During the cruise, RAD collected data on space radiation from inside the craft, thus allowing for a reasonable estimation of what a human crew travelling to/from Mars might be exposed to. On the surface of Mars, RAD is shielded by the atmosphere (from above) and the planet itself (from below). RAD measures the first detailed radiation data from the surface of another planet, and they are highly relevant for planning future crewed missions. The results for radiation dose and dose equivalent (a quantity most directly related to human health risk) are presented during the cruise phase, as well as on the Martian surface. Dose and dose equivalent are dominated by the continuous GCR radiation, but several SEP events were also detected and are discussed here.
authors.affiliation: Christian Albrechts University, Kiel, Germany guo@physik.uni-kiel.de.
authors.forename: Jingnan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Southwest Research Institute, Durham, NH, USA.
authors.forename: Cary
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zeitlin
authors.affiliation: Christian Albrechts University, Kiel, Germany.
authors.forename: Robert F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Wimmer-Schweingruber
authors.affiliation: Southwest Research Institute, Boulder, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Donald M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Hassler
authors.affiliation: Southwest Research Institute, Boulder, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Bent
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ehresmann
authors.affiliation: Christian Albrechts University, Kiel, Germany.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Köhler
authors.affiliation: Christian Albrechts University, Kiel, Germany.
authors.forename: Eckart
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Böhm
authors.affiliation: Christian Albrechts University, Kiel, Germany.
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Böttcher
authors.affiliation: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Brinza
authors.affiliation: Christian Albrechts University, Kiel, Germany.
authors.forename: Sönke
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Burmeister
authors.affiliation: UNLV, Nevada, USA.
authors.forename: Francis
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cucinotta
authors.affiliation: Christian Albrechts University, Kiel, Germany.
authors.forename: Cesar
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.affiliation: NASA Headquarters, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Arik
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Posner
authors.affiliation: Southwest Research Institute, Boulder, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Scot
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rafkin
authors.affiliation: DLR, Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: Guenther
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Reitz
mesh_terms: D018480:Astronauts; D003359:Cosmic Radiation; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D005118:Extraterrestrial Environment; D006801:Humans; D018535:Mars; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011835:Radiation Protection; D018570:Risk Assessment; D019445:Solar Activity; D013026:Space Flight