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Detailed Reference Information
Feldman et al. 2002
Feldman, W.C., Prettyman, T.H., Tokar, R.L., Byrd, R.C., Fuller, K.R., Gasnault, O., Longmire, J.L., Olsher, R.H., Storms, S.A., Thornton, G.W. and Boynton, W.V. (2002). Fast neutron flux spectrum aboard Mars Odyssey during cruise. Journal of Geophysical Research 107: doi: 10.1029/2001JA000295. issn: 0148-0227.

The energy spectrum of fast neutrons generated by interactions between galactic cosmic rays and the Mars Odyssey spacecraft during quiet interplanetary conditions is determined. It is given by Φn(En) = (0.071 ¿ 0.0044) En-(0.28¿0.055) cm-2 s-1 MeV-1 for energies between 0.7 and 6 MeV. The estimated ratio of this component of spacecraft neutron background to the Martian leakage flux in Mars orbit is expected to amount to between 0.30 and 0.34. This fraction is sufficiently small so that the total background in orbit about Mars is expected to be dominated by Martian leakage neutrons reprocessed by the spacecraft. Nevertheless, the measured asymmetry properties of the Odyssey Neutron Spectrometer response function should allow separation of foreground and background neutron fluxes when in Mars orbit. The fast neutron flux between 0.7 and 6 MeV should only contribute 0.40 Roentgen Equivalent Man (rem) per year to the total radiation dose aboard a Mars Odyssey class spacecraft at solar maximum.

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Abstract

Keywords
Interplanetary Physics, Cosmic rays, Interplanetary Physics, Instruments and techniques, Solar Physics, Astrophysics, and Astronomy, Instruments and techniques, Planetary Sciences, Instruments and techniques
Journal
Journal of Geophysical Research
http://www.agu.org/journals/jb/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
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