Simulations of Radiological Dose Quantities in Astronauts During Solar Energetic Particle Events Across Modern Space History

Abstract Solar Particle Events (SPEs) represent one of the most significant hazards to future crewed space missions. Accurate assessment of radiation doses received by astronauts during these events is essential for determining the shielding requirements in spacecraft and off‐planet shelter design. In this study, we use the Band function to model proton flux during SPEs, combined with a flux‐to‐dose response function derived from Monte Carlo simulations in a high‐resolution mesh‐based digital human phantom. This approach enables us to estimate radiation doses under various shielding conditions for all major SPEs of the modern space era. We focus particularly on five significant SPEs, each characterized by distinct spectral features and biological impacts. Our results show that in a spacesuit‐equivalent shielding scenario, the most severe exposure occurred during the August 1972 SPE, resulting in a dose equivalent induced by protons to the whole body of 670 mSv. Conversely, for a Columbus module‐like shielding configuration (50 g·cm −2 of aluminum), the highest dose, 103 mSv, was associated with the February 1956 SPE. Overall, we find that approximately 90% of the proton‐induced total dose equivalent is induced by protons with energies between 33 MeV and 1.2 GeV. Finally, we extend our results to the lunar environment and validate our findings through comparison with in situ measurements from the CRaTER detector on board the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter.