Center for Radiation Engineering and Science for Space Exploration (CRESSE)

The Center for Radiation Engineering and Science for Space Exploration (CRESSE), a NASA University Research Center (URC) at Prairie View A&M University, uses its core intellectual, academic and physical infrastructure to thoroughly investigate the scientific and engineering challenges of space radiation.

Such radiation acutely impacts the national efforts to someday safely return scientists, engineers and explorers to such space destinations as near earth asteroids (NEAs), Mars and beyond.

The prime objective of CRESSE is to merge new materials and technology into innovative radiation shielding systems that will keep critical electronic and scientific instruments and astronauts safe from harmful radiation during future robotic and human missions in deep space.

Through September 2013, CRESSE research will focus on reliability issues during future NASA lunar and Martian missions relating to the dependability of space flight instrumentation and the health and safety of astronauts. Currently (Sept 2013), the CRESSE research goal concentrates on the development of multiple testbeds designed to simulate planetary surfaces so that realistic space and radiation experiments can be created on Earth using these proton and neutron beam facilities.

CRESSE works to maximize the Technical Readiness Level (TRL) of radiation instrumentation for human and robotic missions, optimizing the return value of CRESSE for NASA exploration. The outcomes and knowledge enhance a variety of science and engineering disciplines vital for the safety and reliability of future space exploration missions that could be negatively impacted by various space radiation environments.

CRESSE research has the potential to significantly impact other high profile areas including medicine, national defense, homeland security and energy production. Studies and lessons learned hold promise for future collaborations with the National Institute of Health, the Department of Energy, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Department of Homeland Security.

Five core CRESSE researchers represent some of the nation's foremost scientists in the fields of: