Galactic cosmic ray simulation at the NASA space radiation laboratory-Progress, challenges and recommendations on mixed-field effects

For missions beyond low Earth orbit to the moon or Mars, space explorers will encounter a complex radiation field composed of various ion species with a broad range of energies. Such missions pose significant radiation protection challenges that need to be solved in order to minimize exposures and associated health risks. An innovative galactic cosmic ray simulator (GCRsim) was recently developed at the NASA Space Radiation Lab-oratory (NSRL) at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL). The GCRsim technology is intended to represent major components of the space radiation environment in a ground analog laboratory setting where it can be used to improve understanding of biological risks and serve as a testbed for countermeasure development and vali-dation. The current GCRsim consists of 33 energetic ion beams that collectively simulate the primary and sec-ondary GCR field encountered by humans in space over the broad range of particle types, energies, and linear energy transfer (LET) of interest to health effects. A virtual workshop was held in December 2020 to assess the status of the NASA baseline GCRsim. Workshop attendees examined various aspects of simulator design, with a particular emphasis on beam selection strategies. Experimental results, modeling approaches, areas of consensus, and questions of concern were also discussed in detail. This report includes a summary of the GCRsim workshop and a description of the current status of the GCRsim. This information is important for future advancements and applications in space radiobiology.

Automated summary

For missions to the moon or Mars, space explorers will face a complex radiation field with various ion species and energies. The NASA Space Radiation Laboratory (NSRL) has developed an innovative galactic cosmic ray simulator (GCRsim) to simulate the space radiation environment and study biological risks. The GCRsim consists of 33 ion beams that simulate the primary and secondary GCR fields encountered in space. A recent virtual workshop assessed the status of the GCRsim, discussing its design and beam selection strategies. This information is important for advancements in space radiobiology.