Nuclear Fragmentation Spectrometer

Completed TRL 4 (started at 2, targeting 4)

Description

This project will develop a system to measure fragmentation cross sections for space radiation particles. Such measurements are needed to improve radiation transport codes used to assess radiation risk for astronauts. This will help assess radiation risks for all conceivable future NASA crewed space missions.

Benefits

1.Reduced uncertainty in effective dose received by astronauts, leading to enhanced radiation risk assessment 2. Ability to design optimal radiation shielding for space vehicles and extraterrestrial habitats 3. In addition, experimentally verified radiation transport codes will lead to better treatment planning where particle therapy is used for cancer treatment.

Details

Technology area	Human Health, Life Support, and Habitation Systems > Radiation > Radiation Transport and Risk Modeling
Program	Center Innovation Fund: JSC CIF (JSC CIF)
Lead organization	Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX
Start date	2023-10-01
End date	2024-09-30

Project contacts

Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.

Dan J Fry — dan.j.fry@nasa.gov
Stuart P George — stuart.p.george@nasa.gov
Thomas E Campbell-ricketts — thomas.e.campbell-ricketts@nasa.gov

How to get involved

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.