NASA RaD-X - Radiation Dosimetry Experiment

Uranium (Nuclear Minerals) / Related Environmental Issues / Supporting Research

NASA Radiation Dosimetry Experiment, or RaD-X, is a high-altitude balloon project that launched in September 2015. It provided first-time indications of how cosmic rays deposit energy at the top of atmosphere, which produce showers of additional particles that increase the energy deposited where commercial airlines fly. This experiment will improve the NASA Nowcast of Atmospheric Ionizing Radiation for Aviation Safety (NAIRAS) model, which is currently used by public and private entities for informed decision-making about radiation exposure safety for flight crews, the general public, and commercial space operations. The desire to train the next generation of leaders at NASA takes flight with the Radiation Dosimetry Experiment (RaD-X).

While obtaining the first-ever, high-altitude dosimetric measurements of cosmic ray interaction in the upper atmosphere, RaD-X simultaneously enables 13 trainees to gain the real world first-hand practical flight mission and real-time training needed to make it all happen. The RaD-X training is unique to LaRC in that it tightly integrates mentoring, coaching, and informal training with NASA formal Academy of Program and Project and Engineering Leadership courses. The result is the creation of a customized, flexible, yet integratable, training approach that prepares the RaD-X team for mission success. The RaD-X missions returns energized, project-tested employees to LaRC and GSFC and WFF, with additional science and systems expertise to LaRC, radiation testing experience to ARC, and engineering approaches and scientific data from education and public outreach activities with Prairie View A and M.

Original working URL: https://science.larc.nasa.gov/