Mimicking galactic cosmic radiation (GCR) is difficult with ground-based simulations and experimental results are limited by facility constraints. In the past year, we flew two consecutive missions on large NASA scientific balloons (to ~ 38 km altitude) launched from New Mexico (6.5-hr flight) and Antarctica (32-d flight) and will report GCR doses comparable to levels expected at the equatorial Mars surface. Measurements were made in collaboration with the DLR and utilizing the M-42 active radiation dosimeter developed for use on Artemis 1. The M-42 instrument stores data in flash memory, records charged particles over a substantial part of the trapped proton and the GCR LET spectrum, and can be easily integrated into payloads due to its compact size (182 x 44 x 22 mm; 237 g) and internal battery (up to 6 weeks of operation). Our presentation will provide an overview of the two recent balloon missions (payload description; flight profiles), and summarize the radiation data collected in the middle stratosphere, highlighting how robust, real GCR exposures can be achieved without needing to fly orbital or deep space experiments.
Galactic Cosmic Radiation (GCR) Measurements Made by M-42 Active Dosimeters on NASA Balloon Flights (New Mexico & Antarctica) Resemble Levels Expected at Mars
ASGSR 2020 ; 2020 ; Virtual, US
Miscellaneous
No indication
English
Test flights of the NASA ultra-long duration balloon
Elsevier | 2003
|Test flights of the NASA ultra-long duration balloon
Online Contents | 2004
|Test Flights of the NASA Ultra-Long Duration Balloon
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