Under The Background Influence (UTBI): 2006 Opportunity for Flight

Paper number

IAC-06-E2.3.04

Author

Mr. Andres Russu, University of Valencia, Spain

Coauthor

Mr. Javier Sanchis Muñoz, Student, Spain

Coauthor

Mrs. Nuria Escobar, University of Valencia, Spain

Coauthor

Mrs. Maria Moreno Llacer, Student, Spain

Coauthor

Mr. Rafael Gisbert, University of Valencia, Spain

Coauthor

Mr. Francesc Monrabal Capilla, Spain

Coauthor

Dr. Càndid Reig Escrivà, University of Valencia, Spain

Coauthor

Dr. Ernesto Lopez-Baeza, University of Valencia, Spain

Coauthor

Prof. Victor Reglero, University of Valencia, Spain

Coauthor

Mrs. Rodrigo Juana M., University of Valencia, Spain

Year

2006

Abstract

UTBI is a European Space Agency (ESA) and University of Valencia Students project with the aim of measuring ambient radiation on board the International Space Station (ISS). The project was presented in the scope of the “SUCCESS Student Contest/Special Opportunities” and was selected for mounting onboard the ISS at the end of ESA’s Long Duration Mission (LDM). The experiment will be handled by the ESA astronaut Thomas Reiter and will be placed inside different ISS modules, to monitor their local radiation.

Recently, the experiment has been extended to include measurements on board Soyuz during launch and docking. This sort of measurement has not been performed so far. The purpose is to acquire time tagged radiation events in order to study the evolution of the radiation dosages in the lit-off from Baikonur. 

The instrument is based on a COST Semi-Insulating Cadmium Zinc Telluride (CdZnTe) detector grown by the High-Pressure Electro-Dynamic Gradient (HP-EDG) technique. The crystal volume is 15x15x7.5 mm3 and with a Co-Planar Grid (CPG) electrode configuration. The Analog Front End Electronics (AFEE) is integrated in a commercial ASIC for noise reduction purpose and designed for a large energy range (30 KeV-8 MeV).  

The instrument electronics are designed with COST electronic components and within the ESA contest maximum restrictions of 2 kg mass, 15x15x15 cm3 volume, ISS electromagnetic compatibility and no telemetry capability.

The main scientific goal for the instrument is to achieve nuclear-radiation spectroscopy by the data analysis bi-parametric technique for radiation identification. Previous work is being performed in two ways: on one hand simulations (SPENVIS, CREME96, GEANT4, SRIM, EFS) proving the viability of the mission and on the other hand experimental laboratory measurements and data analysis for gamma ray sources (Co57, Cd109, Cs137).
   
The launch of the experiment is foreseen in the 13s Soyuz mission on 13 September 2006 and the measurement will last until the return of the LDM astronaut in the shuttle 12A.1 mission foreseen for the end of October 2006.

Abstract document

IAC-06-E2.3.04.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-06-E2.3.04.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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