Author Topic: Mini-magnetospheres for deep space shielding (Read 9302 times)

cosmicvoid · « **on:** 06/10/2014 03:52 am »

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An exploration of the efectiveness of artificial mini-magnetospheres as a potential Solar Storm shelter for long term human space missions.

I Encountered an interesting article that could be a follow-on to this thread:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=14830.msg328916#msg328916

Discussed here on an arxiv blog:
https://medium.com/the-physics-arxiv-blog/the-science-of-deflector-shields-revolutionised-by-discovery-of-radiation-shelters-on-the-moon-a0ba6bfdf65d

referencing a paper published here:
http://arxiv.org/pdf/1406.1159v2.pdf

I have read the blog page, and the first couple pages of the paper, and the conclusion (skimmed the middle), and it has some good ideas. Perhaps leading to human-safe deep space travel.

Garolin · « **Reply #1 on:** 07/24/2014 06:44 am »

It's very interesting stuff, but it seems that the same tech can be used for amazingly powerful propulsion.

http://earthweb.ess.washington.edu/space/M2P2/

redliox · « **Reply #2 on:** 07/24/2014 07:16 am »

I'm actually impressed by this setup. So this would basically be a spherical nub that in turn is part of a connecting tunnel, and utilizing a weak magnetic field interesting with naturally ionized plasma? 16 kilowatts isn't exactly a small amount of power, but then again the SEP module NASA is starting to tout about is supposed to generate something on the other of 150 kilowatts. Coupled together this could make it useful.

Liking it. If anything I'd just be concerned if the electric fields and plasma could harm spacecraft structure, specifically solar arrays.

Garolin · « **Reply #3 on:** 07/24/2014 07:44 am »

I remember it being very big for a brief amount of time, then the research suddenly became very quiet. It works like a practically zero mass solar sail. So the performance resembles a bat out of hell. I wonder if anyone is doing anything serious about it these days?