// ORBITAL LOGISTICS AND PROPULSION TERM
Cosmic Ray
Cosmic rays are high-energy particles, mostly protons and atomic nuclei, that travel through space at nearly the speed of light. They originate from various astrophysical sources.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
High-energy subatomic particles, primarily protons and atomic nuclei, originating from supernovae, active galactic nuclei, and other astrophysical phenomena, that propagate through space and interact with planetary atmospheres.
BACKGROUND
Outer space, or simply space, is the expanse that exists beyond Earth's atmosphere and between celestial bodies. It contains ultra-low levels of particle densities, constituting a near-perfect vacuum of predominantly hydrogen and helium plasma, permeated by electromagnetic radiation, cosmic rays, neutrinos, magnetic fields and dust. The baseline temperature of outer space, as set by the background radiation from the Big Bang, is 2.7 kelvins.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Galactic cosmic rays (GCRs)
- Solar energetic particles (SEPs)
- High-energy particles
- Space radiation
USAGE NOTE
Cosmic rays pose a significant radiation hazard for long-duration space missions.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Cosmic Ray.
Operates space-based cosmic ray detectors like the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) on the ISS and develops advanced shielding technologies to protect astronauts and electronics from galactic cosmic rays for deep space missions.
Develops and manufactures personal radiation shielding equipment. Their AstroRad radiation vest is designed to protect astronauts from space radiation, including harmful cosmic rays, during deep-space missions like Artemis.
A commercial company that has developed a platform using cosmic-ray muons for subsurface imaging. Their detectors can map the density of rock and other materials to find mineral deposits or monitor infrastructure.
An international scientific collaboration that built and operates the AMS-02, a state-of-the-art particle physics detector on the International Space Station, designed for the precise measurement of cosmic rays.
A leading developer of radiation-hardened (rad-hard) microelectronics. Their components are designed to withstand the damaging effects of cosmic rays and other space radiation, enabling long-duration missions for satellites and spacecraft.
An international astrophysics observatory in Argentina designed to detect ultra-high-energy cosmic rays. It is the world's largest cosmic ray observatory, utilizing a hybrid system of surface detectors and fluorescence telescopes.
Develops and operates science missions that study the space radiation environment. ESA also invests heavily in research on the effects of cosmic rays on electronics and human biology to ensure mission safety and success.
Specializes in muon imaging technology, using naturally occurring cosmic ray muons to produce 3D images of the contents of sealed containers, primarily for the nuclear industry to characterize and monitor radioactive waste.