Some British scientists are developing a space shield that could one day protect astronauts during a long-time space exploration mission.
These scientists have stated that magnetic shields could be deployed around spacecraft and on the surface of planets to deflect the harmful space radiations.
These days more and more space agencies are planning to launch manned missions to study the solar system. One of the main barriers for manned missions is solar radiation. This radiation consists of energetic particles that can cause cancer.
To minimize the effect of this radiation, scientists are planning to mimic the magnetic field of Earth, which protects all humans from this deadly radiation. The Earth’s magnetosphere deflects this radiation back into space so that they don’t enter our atmosphere.
During NASA’s earlier manned missions to moon between 1968 and 1973, the Apollo astronauts were only in space for a period of about 10 days at a time and they were also quite lucky that they were never out during a major eruption else their cabins would have flooded with this harmful radiation.
If we talk about the crew members of the ISS, they have to retreat to thick-walled rooms during times of increased solar activity.
Like always, this research also has some areas to be catered to. Some scientists think that these shelters cannot be used for long-duration space journeys since the “drip-drip” of these energized particles is thought to be as harmful to human health as large solar storms.
However to achieve this feat of developing an artificial magnetic field, researchers will have to generate a magnetic field and then fill it will ionized gas called plasma.
Scientists are also making use of some sci-fi Hollywood movies to develop the design of this protective shield.
If we talk about the lunar base that NASA is currently aiming for then it has to be buried under lunar soil so that the base and its occupants can remain protected. But still whenever these astronauts will try venturing out of this base in their space suits they will be exposed to this deadly radiation.
Via: BBC
