Space Radiation Research
Space radiation research is performed throughout the United States and abroad and in cooperation with other governmental agencies, as well as with non-profit and commercial entities. Intramural research is performed in laboratories at NASA’s field centers.
Current Space Radiation Funded Projects
Click on the link to a list of NASA Space Radiation Program Investigators funded during 2008 and beyond. The list is derived from the information contained in the Living Task Book. (Click on the title of the project for a link to an abstract or description of the projects.)
The Living Task Book is an online database of research projects that includes project descriptions, annual research results, and a listing of publications resulting from this NASA-funded research. Use the Advanced Search option to check the appropriate boxes to search for space radiation projects funded through the Human Research Program, Fundamental Space Biology, and NSBRI mechanisms
NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES)
Information about current and past research announcements and proposals selected may be found at the NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES) site.
It is planned for research results to be available at this site as well.
NASA Specialized Centers of Research (NSCOR)
A NASA Specialized Center of Research (NSCOR) differs from an individual grant award in that it incorporates a number of complementary research projects that focus on a single research area.
Colorado State University
Radiation Leukemogenesis
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Mechanisms of HZE Damage and Repair in Human Epithelial Cells
Loma Linda University Medical Center
Progressive Alterations of Central Nervous System Structure and Function Are Caused by Charged Particle Radiation
Tufts University
Solid Tumor Risk Estimation: Incorporating Intercellular Interaction Effects
Center of Cancer Systems Biology
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Lung Cancer Pathogenesis and HZE Particle Exposure
International Space Agencies
European Space Agency (ESA)
Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
Russian Space Agency (RSA)
Radiobiology Facilities
In order to simulate the heavy ions of galactic cosmic rays found beyond the protective atmosphere of the Earth, researchers use particle accelerators to expose cells, tissues, and animals to irradiation by ions, protons, and neutrons. They also use irradiation to test shielding materials.
Facilities used in space radiation research include many supported by the U.S. Department of Energy.
Accelerators and facilities
Brookhaven National Laboratory
NASA Space Radiation Laboratory
Electron Beam Ion Source
Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Large Hadron Collider
High Energy Physics
Low Dose Program
NASA/DOE Low Dose Grants
Additional domestic and international facilities used by NASA space radiation investigators include the following:
Loma Linda University Medical Center
Gesellschaft für Schwerionenforschung (GSI)
Darmstadt, Germany
National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS)
Chiba, Japan
