KTH device on board the Atlantis space shuttle
As the space shuttle Atlantis will leave Earth next time, bound for the international space station ISS, a radiation meter devised at KTH will be installed on board. One of the astronauts will use this to measure variations occurring in the cosmic radiation intensity inside the ”Columbus” European Lab Module, to be supplied to ISS from the space ship. These measurements are meant to boost the interest among young students in space and its technologies.
The idea behind this instrument, and of using its values to illustrate cosmic radiation out in space, took form as Affiliated KTH Professor Christer Fuglesang, among other experts, discussed the matter with Mark Pearce, Professor of Particle & Astroparticle Physics at KTH. This has a direct connection with Prof. Fuglesang´s own research effort here at KTH, too – he is now studying the predicted radiation levels inside the Columbus Lab by way of computer simulations.
– This Particle Flux Demonstrator – the Flux, for short – is a fairly uncomplicated device, says Prof. Pearce, who built it together with a number of his colleagues. Note that it is not a scientific instrument, just an educational aid! We received the money for the Flux from the Swedish Space Agency, and then technicians from ESA, the European Space Agency, helped us complete it.
Next year KTH will demonstrate an exact copy of the Flux at the House of Science, close to AlbaNova University Centre in Stockholm. Here school classes will be able to compare their own radiation values down at Earth´s surface with those obtained at the space station. Plans are also afoot to send out the Flux Copy on a tour embracing a number of Swedish schools during autumn 2008. This will be a joint project with the Swedish Space Agency.
– Mind you, the possibility of comparing radiation levels and types of radiation, as measured out in space, with those obtainable down here on the planet is a good starting-point for discussing the differences that do occur, and why they differ, Mark Pearce explains. We are hoping for a great interest in this project! We also hope the film being made about the Flux will be used in teaching about cosmic radiation, both at science centres and schools all over the Nordic countries.
It was originally planned to launch the Atlantis into space early in December this year. As of today, the plan is to launch it early in January 2008.
Magnus Myrén