Concorde's high cruising altitude meant passengers received almost twice the flux of extraterrestrial ionising radiation as those travelling on a conventional long-haul flight.
Upon Concorde's introduction, it was speculated that this exposure during supersonic travels would increase the likelihood of skin cancer.
Due to the proportionally reduced flight time, the overall equivalent dose would normally be less than a conventional flight over the same distance.
Unusual solar activity might lead to an increase in incident radiation.
To prevent incidents of excessive radiation exposure, the flight deck had a radiometer and an instrument to measure the rate of decrease of radiation.
If the radiation level became too high, Concorde would descend below 47,000 feet (14,000 m).
Concorde's high cruising altitude meant passengers received almost twice the flux of extraterrestrial ionising radiation as those travelling on a conventional long-haul flight. Upon Concorde's introduction, it was speculated that this exposure during supersonic travels would increase the likelihood of skin cancer. Due to the proportionally reduced flight time, the overall equivalent dose would normally be less than a conventional flight over the same distance. Unusual solar activity might lead to an increase in incident radiation. To prevent incidents of excessive radiation exposure, the flight deck had a radiometer and an instrument to measure the rate of decrease of radiation. If the radiation level became too high, Concorde would descend below 47,000 feet (14,000 m).
Concorde