RadLab An Open Science Resource For Radiation Studi - 2024 - Life Sciences in S
RadLab An Open Science Resource For Radiation Studi - 2024 - Life Sciences in S
A R T I C L E I N F O A B S T R A C T
Keywords: In response to the growing need of the space life sciences community for a publicly available single access point
Space radiation data for radiation physics data relevant to human space exploration, an open data repository and analysis platform,
Dosimetry RadLab, has been developed. RadLab consists of a database and a user-friendly data retrieval, visualization, and
Open science
analysis toolkit, including a graphical user interface (GUI) and an application programming interface (API).
RadLab complements the space biology data in the NASA Open Science Data Repository (OSDR) and aims to
provide open, centralized access to radiation physics data relevant to spaceflight. Analysis tools contained in
RadLab will facilitate intercomparison among different detectors and radiation data sets to better understand the
radiation environment in spacecraft and planetary habitats, and facilitate the use of space radiation data by space
biology investigators and radiation instrument developers.
* Corresponding author.
E-mail address: [email protected] (S.V. Costes).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lssr.2024.10.001
Received 16 September 2024; Received in revised form 30 September 2024; Accepted 2 October 2024
Available online 17 October 2024
2214-5524/Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of The Committee on Space Research (COSPAR). This is an open access article under the CC BY license
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
K.A. Grigorev et al. Life Sciences in Space Research 43 (2024) 29–34
Fig. 1. Flow of data within the Open Science Data Repository (OSDR), highlighting the importance of coordinated data collection for both biological and envi-
ronmental factors, in which RadLab would eventually play a pivotal role in synthesizing radiation data for the Radiation Risk Model (red arrow). This model is
essential for understanding the effects of radiation on both human and animal biological systems. Note that countermeasures have a reciprocal role between the data
and the model; they mitigate the radiation risk as evaluated by the risk model based on inputs from radiation environment measurements, and typically lead to new
hypotheses and new radiation biology investigations.
operate, limits the information that can be gleaned from ground testing. (OSDR) (https://osdr.nasa.gov/bio/) (Sanders et al., 2024), with Gen-
Opportunities for flight experiments are also limited, meaning that ac- eLab as the central component, presents a significant opportunity for the
curate radiation environment and transport models are required. These radiation biology community. GeneLab, a state-of-the-art omics data-
models require in situ radiation measurements for source terms and base, places significant emphasis on incorporating rich metadata and
validation; such measurements are also crucial for further understand- implementing rigorous data curation workflows to ensure that all data is
ing of radiation effects on humans, serving as inputs to risk models and FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) (Berrios et al.,
meeting the requirements for operational radiation monitoring. 2018). As part of this integration, ALSDA, which houses non-omics data
Each radiation detector in a spacecraft or habitat has specific char- (such as physiological, phenotypic, and medical information), has been
acteristics, including observables, sensitivity, and field of view. These migrated to the GeneLab data system, resulting in all data relevant to
properties significantly influence the interpretation of results. Recently, biological and physiological space experiments—whether omics or
detailed detector intercomparisons have provided deeper insights into non-omics—being stored within a single repository system. The recently
differences between them and have enabled cross-calibrations, taking developed Rad-Bio-App Barker, et al., (2021) is a useful first step in
advantage of disparate data from several detectors simultaneously linking radiation data from flight instruments with GeneLab biology
(Narici et al., 2017, Berger et al., 2018, Zeitlin et al., 2019, Berger et al., datasets, enabling exploration of exposures in Space Shuttle and ISS
2020). experiments. However, as space radiation data grows, a more compre-
Despite recent improvements, the process of gathering radiation data hensive database solution was needed to fully integrate dosimetry with
remains labor-intensive. Data from various ISS modules are typically biological samples.
collected by detectors installed for purposes other than biological RadLab is the first centralized repository for radiation data, and a
studies, such as area dosimetry. As a result, dedicated radiation mea- new addition to OSDR adhering to the same FAIR principles as its other
surements for biological payloads are often unavailable, and researchers available components. This integration ensures that accurate and
must rely on ad hoc measurements from nearby detectors, introducing consistent radiation data are readily accessible for all associated bio-
uncertainties due to differences in shielding and detector sensitivity. logical studies.
One approach to reduce these uncertainties is to aggregate data from However, the historically established process (Beheshti et al., 2018)
multiple detectors across the spacecraft and generate a multi-parameter for summarizing radiation doses for biological payloads in OSDR has
radiation environment map. This map, supported by radiation transport been to use data from the NASA Space Radiation Analysis Group
models and CAD data of the spacecraft, could estimate radiation doses at (SRAG), which requires GeneLab curators to manually extrapolate ra-
specific locations, improving the accuracy of dose estimates for biolog- diation doses for payloads using data from the closest radiation detectors
ical samples. available through SRAG. This process necessitates individual data re-
The overarching goal of the RadLab project is to establish an open quests, is not sustainable for managing the variety of missions and
platform that provides researchers with access to all available space timelines that require radiation dose analysis, and does not fully address
radiation data relevant to human spaceflight, as well as tools for indi- the uncertainties introduced by the variety of detector specifics.
vidual and collaborative research. The RadLab web platform is designed By fully integrating RadLab into OSDR, programmatic connectivity
to provide such data access and analytical tools, while the RadLab with the biological payload repository will be established, enhancing
Working Group (RLWG, https://awg.osdr.space/c/awg-discussions scalability and efficiency. This integration will allow all relevant radi-
/rlwg-topics/29) acts as a forum for collaborative research, practical ation data to be directly linked to biological outcomes, facilitating a
applications, and further development of RadLab’s functionality. comprehensive understanding of the effects of space radiation across
studies.
3. RadLab features and functionality
3.2. Detector survey
3.1. RadLab and the Open Science Data Repository
Knowledge of what radiation data are available is essential for
The recent merge of GeneLab (Berrios et al., 2021) and the Ames Life evaluating environmental factors that may affect biological payloads in
Sciences Archive (ALSDA) into the Open Science Data Repository space, and in that regard a comprehensive accounting of radiation
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K.A. Grigorev et al. Life Sciences in Space Research 43 (2024) 29–34
Fig. 2. Screenshots of the RadLab Web UI illustrating data subsetting and RadLab provides tools for both exploratory and advanced data
visualization: A) interactive detector selection by ISS module and time span; B), analysis. The Web UI enables basic analyses such as pairwise detector
C) time series plots of arbitrarily selected detectors from the ISS Columbus
comparisons (Fig. 3), while the API supports more advanced, pro-
module (B) and detectors operating in BLEO (C), with links to export the
grammatic analyses outside of the Web interface. The API syntax and
data subset.
output formats (CSV, TSV, JSON) are designed to be programming
language–agnostic, allowing for easy incorporation into analysis pipe-
detectors in use at any given time in space—whether in Low Earth Orbit lines. These pipelines can then be shared with the broader research
(LEO) or Beyond Low Earth Orbit (BLEO) (e.g., individual ISS modules, community, ensuring that data analyses are replicable and accessible.
cislunar and Earth-Mars space, lunar orbit and surface, and Mars orbit
and surface)—is critical. Currently, the process of surveying detectors
active at a specific time and location can be complicated, often relying 3.7. Radiation environment mapping
on literature searches, disjoint databases with varying levels and modes
of access, and personal communication with researchers. Previous tools RadLab aims to develop methodologies for mapping the radiation
developed to facilitate this task have had limited success. RadLab pro- environment at any time and location within a spacecraft or habitat.
vides a comprehensive view of past and current detectors in LEO and Using data from multiple detectors, along with detector locations,
BLEO. properties, and CAD models of spacecraft shielding, RadLab will enable
the creation of multi-parameter radiation environment maps. These
maps, supported by radiation transport models, will provide historical
3.3. Data submission and retrieval information on the radiation field, potentially enabling predictive
modeling and forecasting biologically relevant events (e.g. higher radi-
A single access point for all radiation data is crucial, and the open ation risk). While this effort currently focuses on the ISS, it will be
science FAIR principles that data be Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, extended to other spacecraft and habitats as more data are added to the
and Reusable are foundational to RadLab’s mission (Wilkinson et al., RadLab database.
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K.A. Grigorev et al. Life Sciences in Space Research 43 (2024) 29–34
Fig. 3. An example of pairwise detector comparison in the RadLab GUI. Points used for a linear regression fit are selected by the user on the pair plot on the right, and
the strip underneath the time series plot on the left visualizes the value of the residual of the fit for each pair of data points at a given timestamp.
4. The RadLab Database RLWG members who are responsible for a project involving one of
these detectors are able to share data with RadLab. Most of these RLWG
4.1. Database population members also belong to the WRMISS community, further enhancing
collaboration and data sharing. These members provide important data
The RadLab Working Group (RLWG) plays a critical role in gathering related to their detectors’ location within spacecraft and relevant tra-
and curating space radiation data to help ensure comprehensive jectory information (i.e. orbit, cruise, or a surface of a celestial body).
coverage of relevant detectors. A key source for these data is the inter- Their involvement ensures that data submitted to RadLab are accurate
national community of space radiation detector experts who participate and are sourced from individuals who have direct involvement with and
in the annual Workshops on Radiation Monitoring for the International understanding of the specific detectors. This collaborative approach
Space Station (WRMISS, https://wrmiss.org/). Over the years, this fosters the development of RadLab as a comprehensive and reliable
community has expanded its scope beyond ISS radiation monitoring to resource for space radiation research while embodying the principles of
include data from various missions, such as the Space Shuttle, Artemis, Open Science.
Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, Mars Science Laboratory, and The RadLab curation process involves sanitizing, converting, and
BioSentinel. integrating these data into the database, ensuring they are properly
Table 1
Availability of data in RadLab. Public: available in the current release at the time of writing. Staged: undergoing curation and verification. Preliminary: datasets only
partially available to the public. Proposed: agreements with providers for future inclusion of existing data are in place. Upon availability: agreements are in place for
data that are to be collected in the future.
Type Spacecraft Instruments Provider Status, time span
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K.A. Grigorev et al. Life Sciences in Space Research 43 (2024) 29–34
Fig. 4. Data availability in RadLab as of August 2024 A) as seen on the landing page of the Web portal, and B) combined per ISS module and/or BLEO spacecraft.
time-stamped and associated with accurate coordinates for spacecraft in resolution available; work is ongoing to put in place standards for data
Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and, in the future, with Beyond Low Earth Orbit interpolation and resampling to enable comparisons among detectors
(BLEO) coordinates. Additionally, RadLab’s curation work includes with intrinsically different cadences.
gathering data from literature as well as through outreach efforts, and Passive detectors will be included in the database as well, with the
ensuring all datasets are processed correctly for subsequent analysis, location being the most important piece of metadata, and the time be-
with ongoing involvement and support from the RLWG. This compre- tween readouts interpreted as their cadence.
hensive approach will ensure that RadLab remains a valuable, up-to- Ancillary data are also provided: time and, for LEO (such as the ISS),
date resource for space radiation data. geographical coordinates (altitude, latitude, longitude) and magnetic
coordinates (McIlwain coordinate L, magnetic field B). For detectors
4.2. Available data operating BLEO, a solar coordinate system will be used.
The detectors currently included and staged to be ingested into 5. Future development
RadLab at this writing are listed in Table 1, while Fig. 4 visualizes the
time spans of the data that are already publicly accessible. Additional RadLab already includes a wide range of spacecraft and instruments
detectors are being integrated as data become available. from which data are readily accessible. The near-term goal is to expand
RadLab was initially populated primarily with absorbed dose rate the number of detectors and spacecraft represented in the RadLab
and flux at time resolutions (cadences) varying from 20 seconds to 1 database, ensuring comprehensive coverage of all available operational
hour, with some preliminary datasets at intervals of 1 day. The highest periods with absorbed dose rate and flux data.
time resolution to be accommodated is 1 minute, but if a detector cannot RadLab was initially conceived as a repository of radiation mea-
provide such resolution, the data are ingested at the maximum surements primarily from low Earth orbit and missions associated with
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K.A. Grigorev et al. Life Sciences in Space Research 43 (2024) 29–34
biological payloads and/or human spaceflight, with a focus on the ISS, Declaration of competing interest
the Space Shuttle, and biosatellites. However, with input from the space
radiation community, RadLab has expanded to include BLEO missions The authors declare that they have no known competing financial
such as the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, the Chang’E 4 lunar lander, interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence
the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter, the Curiosity rover, and the BioSentinel the work reported in this paper.
CubeSat. In the coming years RadLab will incorporate data from future The author is an Editorial Board Member/Editor-in-Chief/Associate
missions like Artemis, the Lunar Gateway, and Commercial Lunar Editor/Guest Editor for LSSR and was not involved in the editorial re-
Payload Services (CLPS) as these datasets become available. view or the decision to publish this article.
Efforts are underway to integrate RadLab with other established
databases, such as the Space Physics Data Facility (SPDF) and the Acknowledgements
Planetary Data System (PDS), which are comprehensive, but in many
cases lack user-friendly interfaces and interoperability. This integration We thank the members of the RadLab Working Group and the NASA
is particularly important given the heightened risk posed by solar par- Open Science Data Repository, who have contributed their data and
ticle events (SPEs) to crews on deep space missions, where particle their expertise to establishing RadLab. OSDR is funded by the NASA
fluxes from these events can be orders of magnitude higher than the Space Biology Program, part of the NASA Biological and Physical Sci-
ambient galactic cosmic ray (GCR) background. Data from high Earth ences Division within the NASA Science Mission Directorate; RadLab
orbit satellites such as GOES and heliophysics missions such as the Solar development is funded by the NASA Human Research Program (HRP).
Dynamics Observatory (SDO) can complement the GCR and solar proton
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