FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute

Report No: DOT/FAA/AM-71/26

Title and Subtitle: Calibration of the Concorde radiation detection instrument and measurements at SST altitude

Report Date: June 1971

Authors: Friedberg W, Nelson JM

Abstract: Performance tests were carried out on a solar cosmic radiation detection instrument developed for the Concorde SST. The instrument calibration curve (log dose-rate vs instrument reading) was reasonably linear from 0.004 to 1 rem/hr for both gamma radiation and fast neutrons. Nonlinearity in the calibration curve was observed at dose rates below 0.003 rem/hr.

The instrument responded normally after exposure to 30 rem/hr of gamma radiation. The charged particle detectors showed a directional response apparently because of the neutron moderator. The neutron detector did not show a directional response. Measurements made with the Concorde instrument at 60,000 ft. and high geomagnetic latitudes indicated a galactic cosmic radiation dose rate of 0.7 - 0.9 millirem/hr.

Key Words: Cosmic Radiation, Supersonic Transport, Radiation Detection Instrument, Concorde SST, Cosmic rays, Gamma rays, Dose rate, Solar radiation

No. of Pages: 19