Radiation Environment of the Moon

Introduction

In this chapter, we review models of the space radiation environment and health risks for human missions to the Earth’s moon. Exposures to astronauts from galactic cosmic rays (GCR) – made up of high-energy protons and high-energy and charge (HZE) nuclei and solar particle events (SPEs) – that are comprised largely of low- to medium-energy protons are a critical challenge for space exploration. Experimental studies have shown that HZE nuclei and other high linear energy transfer (LET) radiation, such as neutrons, produce both qualitative and quantitative differences in biological effects compared to terrestrial radiation, leading to large uncertainties in predicting health and mortality outcomes to humans (Cucinotta et al. 2013; NCRP 2000). Radiation risks include carcinogenesis, degenerative tissue effects such as cataracts (Cucinotta et al. 2001; Chylack et al. 2009), and acute radiation syndromes (NCRP 2000). Other risks, such as circulatory diseases and cognitive...