For over two decades, hypothetical models of "worst case" solar particle event (SPE) spectra have been proposed in order to place an upper bound on radiation doses to crews on space missions. These event spectra are usually formulated using hypothetical extrapolations of space measurements for previous large events, which have occurred during or just prior to the space era. In this work we take a different approach. Recently reported analyses of ice core samples indicate that the Carrington flare of 1859 is the largest event observed in the past 500 years. These ice core data yield estimates of the proton fluence for energies greater than 30 MeV, but provide no other spectrum information. Assuming that the proton energy distribution for such an event is similar to that measured for other recent, large events, critical body organ doses for crews in representative LEO missions are estimated for these hypothetical worst-case SPE spectra. If the event is accompanied by a substantial geomagnetic storm, these estimated doses are large and could be mission threatening unless substantial shielding is provided.


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Hypothetical worst case solar particle event doses in LE0


    Contributors:


    Publication date :

    2004-01-01


    Size :

    408670 byte





    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English



    2.1203 Hypothetical Worst Case Solar Particle Event Doses in LEO

    IEEE | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2004


    Probability model for worst case solar proton event fluences

    Xapsos, M.A. / Summers, G.P. / Barth, J.L. et al. | Tema Archive | 1999



    12.0203 Forecasting of Solar Particle Event Doses Using Bayesian Inference

    Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2003


    Sensitivity of Solar Energetic Particle Event Doses to Spectral Hardness

    Campbell, Christina E. / Moussa, Hanna M. / Edwards, John R. et al. | SAE Technical Papers | 2005