22. What solar protection is on the spacecraft? (A K2S Question)

From The Space Library

There are five major types of radiation from the Sun: infrared, or heat; visible light; ultraviolet; x-rays; and protons. The Shuttle operates near Earth and is protected to a significant degree by the Earth's magnetic field that traps most of the protons. In addition, missions are planned for times when there is no expectation of solar events—eruptions on the surface of the Sun that release radiation. The structure of the orbiter offers some protection from radiation, and filters are available for the windows to reduce ultraviolet exposure. Shuttle crewmembers wear radiation-measuring devices called dosimeters, and measurements taken on past missions indicate an exposure of only five to seven percent of the limits set for astronauts. (Ref. 1, 4 & 5)

Ref 1.NASA, National Space Transportation System Reference, Volume 1 Systems and Facilities, June 1988. This document is available on the Internet at: http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/technology/sts-newsref/stsreftoc.html#sts-umbilical-doors

Ref 4.Dicello J.F. and Gucinotta, F.A. Space Radiation. In Encyclopedia of Space Science and Technology, Vol. II, Ed. by Hans Mark, Wiley- Interscience, John Wiley and Sons, Hoboken, N.J., 2003.

Ref 5.Grigoriev, A.I. Biomedical Support of Piloted Spaceflight. In Encyclopedia of Space Science and Technology, Vol. I, Ed. by Hans Mark, Wiley-Interscience, John Wiley and Sons, Hoboken, N.J., 2003.

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Answer provided by Jon H. Brown

Question and Answer extracted from the book Kids to Space - by Lonnie Schorer

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