Space RadMon is a miniaturised version of the LHC’s well-proven radiation monitoring device. This reliable low-cost, low-power and low-mass instrument for radiation monitoring in space is entirely based on standardised, commercial-off-the-shelf components, selected and calibrated at CERN. Space RadMon is the ideal instrument to measure in realtime radiation effects such as total ionising dose, upsets and latchups.
Developed through the CERN-hosted Medipix2 Collaboration, Timepix detectors are extremely small but powerful particle trackers. Over the last decade, they have been used in various space applications: from detection and track visualisation of radiation and cosmic rays in open space to astronaut dosimetry.
Optical fibres for large-scale spacecraft dosimetry
In a spacecraft, in order to protect both its crew inhabitants and the electronics from radiation, it is mandatory to invest in effective radiation monitoring systems. The International Space Station, just like the LHC, is exposed to radiation over such a large area that it requires bespoke dosimetry devices. Optical fibre dosimetry is an experimental technique that can provide distributed radiation measurements with high spatial resolution.
Under the coordination of the French Space Agency CNES, CERN, Laboratoire Hubert Curien and iXblue are developing Lumina. This project will use several-kilometre long optical fibres as active dosimeters to measure ionising radiation in the International Space Station with very high sensitivity.
Be it in fiction or in reality, the Moon and its orbit are considered as ideal points of departure for human deep-space exploration. With the human habitat on the Moon in mind, the IGLUNA educational project offered the possibility to study phenomena in a rarefied, high-altitude atmosphere. Under the coordination of the Swiss Space Center, many teams of European students have built technology demonstrators for this habitat and tested them in the extreme environment of the Matterhorn glacier at 3800 metres.