ANOMALOUS LONG TERM EFFECTS IN ASTRONAUTS’ CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM - SHIELD
(ALTEA-SHIELD)
Research Area: Radiation Measurements and Shielding
Expedition(s): 23-ongoing
Principal Investigator(s): ● Livio Narici, PhD, University of Roma Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
The Anomalous Long Term Effects in Astronauts’ Central Nervous System - Shield (ALTEA-
Shield) investigation provides an assessment of the radiation environment inside the
International Space Station (ISS). ALTEA-Shield monitors the radiation environment around our
planet and tested different types of shielding materials against the effects of radiation.
EARTH BENEFITS
This type of research is providing those on Earth
with a more detailed picture of the radiation
environment in low-Earth orbit, which can help
to better understand how this planet works. By
comparing this data with data on Earth it could
help to determine the impact that Earth’s
radiation environment may have on climatology
and thus help to improve climate models.
SPACE BENEFITS
The development of better shielding materials
is a necessity for making improvements in
future spacecraft and satellite design and
essential mission planning. In addition to the
positive effect this will have on human
exploration missions, this will also help to
extend the life of satellites in orbit by reducing
the effect caused by solar and galactic
radiation, which can damage satellite
electronics.
RESULTS
An extensive amount of data was gathered
from the survey part of the ALTEA-Shield
experiment, which is being used to check
radiation/atmospheric models. As seen below,
this data included an identification of the
spectra of different forms of radiation and
nuclear identification. This was followed up in
the second half of 2012 by tests of 2 different
Top: ESA astronaut Paolo Nespoli, works with the
Anomalous Long Term Effects in Astronauts' Central
Nervous System - Shield (ALTEA-Shield, [survey])
equipment on the International Space Station. Bottom:
ESA astronaut André Kuipers configures hardware for
the ALTEA-Shield (shield) experiment in the Columbus
laboratory on June 8, 2012. NASA image.