National Aeronautics and Space Administration Kevin DaughertyProject Manager.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

RaD-XRadiation Dosimetry

Experiment

FPD All-HandsJune 2, 2014

Kevin Daugherty Project Manager

RaD-X Overview FPD-All Hands

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RaD-X Science MotivationRaD-X contributes to the NASA Heliophysics Division Living With A Star (LWS) Program’s Strategic Goal #1: improve prediction of biologically harmful radiation exposure to air travelers by enhancing the understanding of cosmic ray transport processes and interactions with the atmosphere

NASA LaRC has made significant advances in quantifying and documenting aircraft radiation exposure by developing the Nowcast of Atmospheric Ionizing Radiation for Aviation Safety (NAIRAS) model: the first real-time, global, physics-based model that includes both galactic cosmic ray and solar energetic particle sources of radiation exposure.• A critical step remains before NAIRAS can transition to

operations at the NOAA National Weather Service: It must be verified & validated

• RaD-X is an important next step in the V&V process -- collecting and processing data from the top of the atmosphere (TOA) that will constrain the model

LWS Strategic Goal #1: “Penetrating particle radiation adversely affects aircraft avionics and potentially the health of airline crews and passengers… The [LWS] program needs to deliver the understanding and modeling required for useful

prediction of the variable solar particulate and radiation environment at Earth…”

2 Jun 2015

RaD-X Overview FPD-All Hands

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Flight Profile

2 Jun 2015

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Science Enhancement OpportunitiesRaD-X has been gathering a lot of interest in both the United States and Europe.

Many groups have already expressed interest in using the data for research or model correlation efforts

RaD-X has recently expanded its scientific impact through moderate investments and in-kind contributions from other researchers:

2 Jun 2015

• ER-2– High altitude aircraft flight carrying a TEPC + TID– ARMAS project is contributing the TEPC + TID package– RaD-X is funding the aircraft time

• Chase Plane– Low altitude aircraft flight carrying a TEPC + Liulin– Dr. Benson at OSU is providing TEPC + Liulin package– Chase aircraft already part of balloon operations

• German Aerospace Center (DLR) is joining the mission– Moderate altitude aircraft flight carrying a dosimeter package– Flight will occur in Europe at same Geomagnetic Cutoff Rigidity as RaD-x balloon flight– Entire mission funded by DLR

RaD-X Overview FPD-All Hands

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Payload Segment

2 Jun 2015

TEPC(in enclosure)

Liulin

RaySure(in enclosure)

TID

Avionics Box

RaD-X Overview FPD-All Hands

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System Testing

2 Jun 2015

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Parking Lot Testing

2 Jun 2015

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Integrated Payload

2 Jun 2015

Ballast Hopper (CSBF)

Science Batteries (RaD-X)

Payload Segment (RaD-X)

Consolidated Instrumentation Package (CIP) (CSBF)

GPS/IridiumAntenna (RaD-X)

Gondola (CSBF)

Interface Plate (CSBF)

RaD-X Overview FPD-All Hands

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Upcoming EventsPre-Ship Review 6/9Shipment 8/26-9/1Flight 9/14

2 Jun 2015