EXPERIMENT INFORMATION
Astronauts in orbit are exposed to cosmic radiation that is of sufficient frequency and intensity to cause effects on the central nervous system. Radiation exposure represents one of the greatest risks to humans traveling on exploration missions beyond low Earth orbit (LEO).
ALTEA-Shield is part of the ALTEA program, a multidisciplinary research project which aims at obtaining a better understanding of the light flash phenomenon, and more generally the interaction between cosmic rays and brain functions. Interactions between ionizing radiation in space and brain functions, and the related risk assessments, are among the major concerns when programming long permanence in space.
The Anomalous Long Term Effects in Astronauts' Central Nervous System - Shield (ALTEA-Shield) experiment, developed by the Italian Space Agency (ASI), will measure the particle flux in the U.S. Laboratory on the International Space Station (ISS), being able to discriminate the type of particles, to measure their trajectories and the delivered energies.
| Mission | Launch/Start Date | Landing/End Date | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expedition 23 | 03/18/2010 | 06/01/2010 | 75 days |
| Expedition 24 | 06/01/2010 | 09/25/2010 | 117 days |
| Expedition 25 | 09/24/2010 | 11/25/2010 | 31 days |
| Expedition 26 | 11/26/2010 | 03/16/2011 | 111 days |
| Expedition 27 | 03/14/2011 | 05/23/2011 | 70 days |
| Expedition 28 | 05/23/2011 | 09/15/2011 | 115 days |
| Expedition 29 | 09/16/2011 | 11/21/2011 | 40 days |
| Expedition 30 | 11/14/2011 | 04/27/2012 | 166 days |
| Expedition 31 | 04/27/2012 | 07/01/2012 | 65 days |
| Expedition 32 | 07/01/2012 | 09/16/2012 | 78 days |
Project Manager: Jessica Keune