# Presentation: 552819

## Presented to the Solar and Space Physics - Vision for Space Exploration Conference

- Dr. Gale J. Allen
-  18 October 2005

- NASA’s Agency-wide Collaboration on Radiation Challenges

## Radiation – Agency Challenges
Background on Radiation Challenges
Radiation Research Working Group Charter
Impact of Vision for Space Exploration
Where are we today?
Schedule of Tiger Team
Radiation - Health Challenges
Bioastronautics Roadmap Radiation Risks
Recommendations of the National Academies Institute of Medicine

- Background on Radiation Challenges
- Radiation Research Working Group Charter
- Impact of Vision for Space Exploration
- Where are we today?
- Schedule of Tiger Team
- Radiation - Health Challenges
- Bioastronautics Roadmap Radiation Risks
- Recommendations of the National Academies Institute of Medicine

- NASA’s Agency-wide Collaboration on Radiation Challenges

## 

Space Radiation Working Group

- Space Radiation Working Group

## Status of NASA Radiation Working Group

- Radiation impacts much of NASA’s mission content including robotic and human space flight
- The costs associated with achieving the Vision for Space Exploration are quite significant
- Understanding the interrelationships and impacts among upper atmospheric aeronautics, Earth and space science, spacecraft, robotics, mission design, and on human health are vital
- An integrated radiation strategy for the Agency is highly desirable

## Status of NASA Radiation Research Working Group 

- Then –NASA’s Space Radiation Research working group was established to coordinate Agency-wide activities related to space radiation and to recommend research directions
- The focus was on radiation protection on the International Space Station and issues faced by missions out of Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
- The working group was composed of representatives from relevant HQ enterprises and applicable centers
- Chaired by DAA for Science in Office of Biological and Physical Science
- Reporting was to the NASA Chief Scientist

## Status of NASA Radiation Working Group

- Now -
- The Vision for Space Exploration has established an aggressive schedule for human exploration beyond LEO
- There is no longer a Chief Scientist at HQ
- The Office of Biological and Physical Research no longer exists
- Due to reorganizations and transformations the Working Group has not been meeting in recent years
- It is recognized radiation issues are broader and more cross-cutting than previously addressed
- Need more formal process rather than ad hoc

## Status of NASA Radiation Research Working Group

- Current Plan
- Address the broad scope of radiation impacts
- Reactivate the Radiation Working Group and expand focus and participation
- Lots of good work on going need to converge data/knowledge
- How?
- Establish tiger team to:
- Define requirements – decide what aspects of radiation should be included?
- Develop a draft charter
- Identify key players and recommend working group membership (NASA HQ, centers, other Agencies) Decide chair and possible rotation
- Define products of the working group
- Comprehensive integrated radiation plan
- Reporting requirements and frequency

## Status of NASA Radiation Working Group

- The Working Group will:
- Ensure all aspects of radiation of interest to NASA are addressed
- Identify and document requirements
- Identify gaps
- Develop strategy to fill gaps
- Develop and manage a comprehensive radiation plan
- Leverage leverage leverage

## 

Space Radiation Health

- Space Radiation Health

## Space Radiation Health Risks

- Bioastronautics Roadmap – A Risk Reduction Strategy for Human Space Exploration
-     **See **_[http://bioastroroadmap.nasa.gov](http://bioastroroadmap.nasa.gov/)__ for more info_
- 45 risks identified total – 4 radiation
- Carcinogenesis –increased morbidity or mortality
- Acute and late CNS risks – motor function and behavior or neurological
- Chronic and degenerative tissue (non-cancer- non-CNS cardiac, circulatory, digestive, cataracts)
- Acute radiation risk (occupational radiation exposure)
- 41 research and technology questions associated with radiation
- Encompass issues that should be sufficiently addressed to mitigate and retire risks

## NASA commissioned the National Academies - Institute of Medicine to review the Bioastronautics Roadmap
For more info go to www.nap.edu
18 month study; Six month interim report delivered Oct ‘04
Briefing of findings and recommendations this afternoon
Report will be publicly available October 20th
Radiation was addressed in detail 

- For more info go to _[www.nap.edu](http://www.nap.edu/)_
- 18 month study; Six month interim report delivered Oct ‘04
- Briefing of findings and recommendations this afternoon
- Report will be publicly available October 20th
- Radiation was addressed in detail

- Space Radiation Health Risks

## Space Radiation Health Risks

- Charge to IOM
- How can the BR better capture & describe risks & R&T issues for risk reduction?
- Does the BR use appropriate method of risk assessment?
- How well does BR address different types of risks?
- Are categories of critical research issues & metrics used to analyze them appropriate?
- Are efficiency and technology issues properly and adequately addressed?

## Radiation Issues
Does protection against late radiation effects also protect against acute effects with respect to galactic cosmic rays?
Are pharmacology and food exposure to radiation adequately addressed?
What is the priority for establishing safe radiation exposures based on duration and destination for each radiation risk?

- Does protection against late radiation effects also protect against acute effects with respect to galactic cosmic rays?
- Are pharmacology and food exposure to radiation adequately addressed?
- What is the priority for establishing safe radiation exposures based on duration and destination for each radiation risk?

- Space Radiation Health Risks

## Next Steps
Assess IOM recommendations for radiation
Review radiation research plan
Make adjustments where applicable

- Assess IOM recommendations for radiation
- Review radiation research plan
- Make adjustments where applicable

- Space Radiation Health Risks