A multi-detector experimental setup for the study of space radiation shielding materials: Measurement of secondary radiation behind thick shielding and assessment of its radiobiological effect

Space agencies have recognized the risks of astronauts’ exposure to space radiation and are developing complex model-based risk mitigation strategies. In the foundation of these models, here are still significant gaps of knowledge concerning nuclear fragmentation reactions which need to be addressed by ground-based experiments. There is a lack of data on neutron and light ion production by heavy ions, which are an important component of galactic cosmic radiation (GCR). A research collaboration has been set up to characterize the secondary radiation field roduced by GCR-like radiation provided by a particle accelerator in thick shielding. The aim is to develop a novel method for producing high-quality experimental data on neutron and light ion production in shielding materials relevant for space radiation protection. Four complementary detector systems are used to determine the energy and angular distributions of high-energy secondary neutrons and light ions. In addition to the physical measurement approach, the biological effectiveness of the secondary radiation field is determined by measuring chromosome aberrations in human peripheral lymphocytes placed behind the shielding. The experiments are performed at the heavy ion synchrotron SIS18 at the GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung in Darmstadt, Germany, in the frame of FAIR Phase-0.