Towards a European Space Radiation Risk Model: : Knowledge gaps and risk model concept

Sammanfattning: Space travelling within the solar system is expected to expand within the upcoming years, with the Moon and Mars as main targets. These longer space flights results in longer time periods within a complex radiation environment for the astronauts. Dose limits therefore have to be established by space agencies for their respective space workers, to secure maximum safety and as low risks as possible. A radiation model is constructed by many building blocks, ranging from radiobiology to physics. The state of the art of the current models are described in this paper, followed by the uncertainties and knowledge gaps related to the respective space agency’s approach. These mainly include more extensive research of the available data for exposed populations, adapting the inputs to the relevant population, and the choice of risk quantity and track structure models. By focusing on the largest uncertainty contributors, Europe can add importance to this essential research and form a European space radiation model for European space workers.