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Scaphander

Introduction

Scientific equipment "Razrez" ("Cross-section") for the space experiment "Scaphander" is intended for the exploitation under the outer space conditions. It is placed inside the worked-off scaphander "Orlan-M". During the extravehicle activity the cosmonaut pushes the scaphander with powered-on equipment away from the outside surface of the Russian section of ISS. The equipment will be operated during the decreasing of the orbit from 350 km down to about 180 km, after it the scaphander will burn away. "Razrez" is the first space scientific experiment in which the scientific equipment is housed in a scaphander. The feature of the project is measuring of the radiation conditions away from the massive spacecrafts (it provides absence of the local charged particles, induced radiation).

Composition of the equipment

The equipment "Razrez" includes eight blocks:
- neutron unit for the measurements of the neutrons with energy over several keV and over several MeV;
- basic unit with control electronics and detectors of neutrons of thermal energy, gamma-radiation and protons;
- four dosimetric units with cover of tissue-equivalent material simulating parts of the human body in order to estimate radiation dose catched by the cosmonaut during the extravehicle activity (during the long flight away from the spacecrafts). Dosimetric units also contain thermal sensors which allow to get temperature distribution inside the scaphander.
- dosimeter for obtaining of LET and nuclear spectra;
- outboard unit for registering of the electron flux, temperature sensor for measuring of the temperature on the surface of the scaphander, sensors of sun lighting for determination of the position regarding the Earth's shadow.

Scientific mission of "Razrez":

1. Obtaining of the altitudinal dependence of the neutrons of thermal and low energies;
The first experiments on registration of the neutrons originated from the thunderstorms were leaded in 1985 [1]. During the experiments "Ryabina", "Scorpion" and "Kolibri-2000" increases of the neutron flux or spashes of the neutron radiation were noticed. They are presumably originated from the thunderstorm activity [2]. Low weight, decreasing orbit and wide program of neutron research of the experiment "Scaphander" will give an opportunity for the search of the source of these splashes.

2. Evaluation of the dose, catched by the cosmonaut during the extravehicle activity (away from the massive spacecrafts) depending on the protection level. Four indetical neutron detectors covered with plastic, simulating the human body parts under the appropriate protection - circulatory system, crystalline lens and skin, gastrointestinal tract, gonads.

This experiment is unique because for the moment there were no extended tests of scaphanders in the outer space.

3. Studies of the radiation belts structure at the altitudes lower than 350 km at low and mid-latitudes.

The experiment will allow to obtain data of altitudinal structure of the radiation belts due to the decreasing orbit of the Scaphander.