Biophysical experiments

The biophysics research program will mainly focus on space radiation effects. Radiation represents a significant hazard in all space explorations, especially outside the protective shield of the Earth’s magnetic field. Solar and galactic particle radiation consists primarily of protons and helium ions, but the relatively small number of heavier ions in the galactic cosmic radiation (GCR) can significantly contribute to radiation dose due to their high ionization energy loss. In humans, genetic alterations, cancer, and cataracts may already be induced by low levels of radiation. There is also the potential for damage to space instrumentation, as the high charge locally deposited by energetic heavy ions can produce changes in computer chips and other electronic devices; frequently observed changes of the status of memory units are a prominent example. Because shielding is difficult and costly in space, the effects of the cosmic radiation should be known as accurately as possible in order to optimize the shielding measures and to exploit the shielding properties of materials used for other purposes, such as the spacecraft hull, internal equipment, fuel and supplies.

Figure 1: A future moon landing
According to the new vision for Space Exploration (January 2004), NASA plans to return to the moon in the year 2020. The present project anticipates four to six crew members who will complete lunar-surface exploration for 60–180 days. The Earth-moon cruise lasts about 4 days.

Figure 2: Cosmic radiation spectrum Energy spectrum for hydrogen, helium, carbon and iron in the GCR. Energy spectra peak between 0.1 and 1 GeV per nucleon for all ions. Blue bars indicate the energy range reached by the present GSI accelerators, and the dark blue region is the spectrum that will be covered by FAIR.