Mission Day Instructions

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Overview

The health and safety of astronauts is always NASA’s top priority. Outside of the earth's protective atmosphere, astronauts are exposed to the hostile environment of space. Because of their lengthy stays on the space station, radiation levels are constantly monitored. In addition to hourly and daily levels, 30-day, yearly, career, and lifetime radiation limits for each astronaut must be considered. 

The Tissue Equivalent Proportional Counter (TEPC) monitors the amount of radiation that astronauts are exposed to in the space station. There are two TEPCs on board the station, one that is stationary, located in the Destiny Module and another which is portable. When radiation levels are a concern, the astronauts carry the portable TEPC with them at all times to monitor their direct exposure to hazardous radiation.

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Your Task 

• Review the information that you studied during specialist training. Study your notes on radiation and its effects on the human body, and examine the tables on career and life exposure limits.
• Practice analyzing and graphing data, making calculations, and developing recommendations.
• You must check the human exposure limits in the Reference Guide. Determine the effects this exposure might have on the astronauts. If the exposure is dangerous, make recommendations to Mission Control.  
• Review the ALARA guidelines. Learn the names and locations of the station’s various modules and what shielding options are available on board if emergency measures need to be taken.

To do its job effectively, the Radiation Team should be able to:

1. Determine how much radiation the astronauts are receiving on the space station.
2. Identify a dangerous level of radiation.
3. Identify the ALARA guidelines and be able to apply them in a dangerous situation.
4. Identify possible shielding materials that can be used by the astronauts.