The MATROSHKA experiment - Overview and Results

Paper number

IAC-08.A1.4.1

Author

Dr. Guenther Reitz, German Aerospace Center, Germany

Year

2008

Abstract

The European Space Agency’s (ESA) MATROSHKA experiment—conducted under the aegis of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in cooperation with 19 research institutions and space agencies - simulates an astronaut’s body during extravehicular activities (EVA) aiming for the determination of skin and organ doses. Such information is crucial for improved risk assessments for future long duration spaceflights.

MATROSHKA basically consists of a human phantom torso attached to a base structure and covered with a protective carbon-fibre container, acting as a spacesuit model. The phantom is divided into 33 tissue-equivalent polyurethane slices of specific density for tissue and organs. Natural bones are embedded. Channels and cut-outs enable accommodation of active and passive radiation monitors. Over 4800 passive detectors (thermoluminescence detectors (TLDs) and plastic nuclear track detectors) constitute the radiation experiments which are beside inside the phantom also located on top the head of the phantom, in front of the belly and around the body as part of a Poncho and a Hood dressing the phantom.

MATROSHKA was launched within PROGRESS on January 29, 2004 and mounted shortly afterwards outside the Russian Zvezda Module of the Station.  The time of outside exposure during this mission phase was 539 days. After that, the facility was returned into the Station for passive sensor exchange. After the first passive detector set was returned to ground with Soyuz for on-ground evaluation the facility is further used inside the station during two follow-on project phases. 

The MATROSHKA experiment delivered a unique set of data from the evaluation of numerous detectors. This paper intends to give besides an overview of the MATROSHKA experiment selected results from the first exposure including organ dose equivalents.

Abstract document

IAC-08.A1.4.1.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-08.A1.4.1.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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