Comparative study between Monte-Carlo tools for space applications

Radiation analyses in the space industry rely more and more on Reverse Monte Carlo radiation transport calculation tools. These tools allow engineers to compute deposited dose and transmitted fluence in complex geometrical models, taking into account particle physical interactions with matter. Despite their widespread use, few studies exist that compare Monte Carlo tools or validate Monte Carlo Reverse results. Both Direct and Reverse Monte Carlo methods are available in FASTRAD, allowing to establish a comparison point between the well validated Forward algorithm and the Reverse one. A comparative study between FASTRAD® (Forward and Reverse), GEANT4 (Forward) and MCNPX was performed on volume detectors. In addition, results obtained with two Reverse Monte Carlo tools, FASTRAD and NOVICE, on point detectors were compared for realistic satellite models and space environment conditions.