End of Space Station Mir is End of an Era for USF Professor
The recent reentry and destruction of Russia’s Mir Space Station into the Earth’s atmosphere marked an end of an era for University of San Francisco Physics Professor Gene Benton.
“It was really a mixed feeling,” Benton said. “Life is something that comes and passes and this was the end of a large chapter in my professional life. It was definitely sad.”
 Beginning in 1991, Benton’s research group carried out a number of experiments both inside and on the external surface of Mir to measure the ionizing radiation in space. Results from these experiments are now being used by NASA to better characterize ionizing radiation in space and its effects on astronaut health and safety as well as on radiation sensitive materials and electronics.
The Mir space station provided Benton and other researchers with the first opportunity to study the long-term behavior of the radiation environment now being encountered by the International Space Station.
Included in Benton’s research group were USF students, who Benton said have enjoyed the experience, “because most students are really eager to be involved in research because it’s different than learning in a book. You encounter real problems verses refined book problems.”
Since the late 1960s, Benton has been involved in radiation measurement research. Astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin E. “Buzz” Aldrin, Jr. of Apollo 11 landed on the moon during Benton’s first summer at USF in 1969. Both were equipped with radiation measurement devices developed by Benton.
More than 30 years later, Benton and his group continue to research radiation particles for future projects.
“Our background on the Mir space station provided opportunities to be involved with the future of the International Space Station,” Benton said.
The cumulative results from the Benton research group’s experiments aboard the Mir will soon be published in the scientific journal Radiation Measurements, which Benton edits.
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