Twenty years of TLD measurements on board space vehicles by the Hungarian “Pille” system

Publisher Summary On-board personal dose measurements are mainly based on thermoluminescent dosimetry. Because of the large dimensions and big mass of the readers, the TLDs used in space activities are generally evaluated only after their return to the ground, in terrestrial laboratories. The disadvantage of on-ground evaluation is that it results in the dose accumulated since the last read-out, that is, the dose of the whole flight, whereas with the increased duration of space flights periodic and relatively frequent dose measurements would be needed. A small, portable, and space-qualified TLD reader suitable for reading out the TL dosimeters on board provides the possibility of overcoming the above-mentioned disadvantage. Such a system offers a solution for EVA dosimetry as well. KFKI Atomic Energy Research Institute (KFKI AEKI) has developed and manufactured a series of thermoluminescent dosimeter systems for measuring cosmic radiation doses in the 10 μGy to 10 Gy range, consisting of a set of bulb dosimeters and a small, compact, TLD reader suitable for on-board evaluation of the dosimeters. By means of such a system, highly accurate measurements were carried out on board the Salyut-6, -7 and Mir Space Stations as well as on the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station (ISS). A detailed description of the system is given and the comprehensive results of these measurements are summarized in this chapter.