Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #31299: Tracking Space Radiation Through a Phantom’s Eyes: The SPD Experiment on the ISS

The harsh space environment presents many hazards, and radiation is one of the most significant threats to human health during long-duration missions. To better understand this danger, the Matryoshka-R SPD experiment aboard the International Space Station (ISS) provided scientists with crucial data by using a smart phantom—a stand-in for the human body.

This particular part of the Matryoshka-R suite focused on SPD (special data processing), which refers to a more refined collection and analysis of radiation exposure data. The project was directed by V. Petrov from the Institute of Medical and Biological Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IMBP RAS).

The phantom used in this experiment was equipped with an extensive array of sensors that recorded radiation data over a wide range of ISS expeditions. The goal was to track how radiation varied not only by physical location inside or outside the station, but also over time. Solar activity and the Earth’s magnetic field influence how much radiation reaches the station, and this experiment captured those fluctuations in great detail.

Each sensor within the phantom relayed data to a central system for processing. The analysis included identifying which types of particles were most common, how deeply they penetrated tissues, and how effective various shielding strategies were in different parts of the station. This level of detail was made possible through advanced processing of collected data—hence the term SPD.

One of the strengths of this experiment was its long-term scope. Spanning many ISS expeditions, it allowed scientists to build a time series dataset that revealed trends and anomalies in radiation exposure. For example, during periods of heightened solar activity, there were measurable increases in radiation levels, which in turn provided insights into how future missions should be planned.

With this data, scientists are now better equipped to create safer spacecraft, design effective protective clothing, and determine mission durations that reduce radiation risk. This experiment’s contribution is a cornerstone for protecting astronaut health in the ever-evolving environment of space.

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