New Tool Allows For Real-Time Space Radiation Forecasts Lee
Rannals for redOrbit.com – Your Universe Online Astrophysicists
have created the first online system for predicting and
forecasting the radiation environment in near-Earth, lunar, and
Martian space environments. The University of New Hampshire’s
Space Science Center (SSC) astrophysicists created the near
real-time tool to provide critical information for potential
manned missions to the moon and Mars. “If we send human beings
back to the moon, and especially if we’re able to go to Mars, it
will be critical to have a system like this in place to protect
astronauts from radiation hazards,” said associate professor of
physics Nathan Schwadron. Schwadron is the lead developer of a
new tool known as PREDICCS, which is able to integrate numerical
models of space radiation. The tool was made possible through
NASA’s Living With A Star (LWS) Targeted Research and Technology
program. Schwadron’s website provides updates of the radiation
environment on an hourl