Magnetic shield for spacefarers nov 5th

Antaletriangle · 11-05-2008, 05:53 AM

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7706844.stm
Future astronauts could benefit from a magnetic "umbrella" that deflects harmful space radiation around their crew capsule, scientists say.

The super-fast charged particles that stream away from the Sun pose a significant threat to any long-duration mission, such as to the Moon or Mars.

But the research team says a spaceship equipped with a magnetic field generator could protect its occupants.

Lab tests are reported in the journal Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion.

The approach mimics the protective field that envelops the Earth, known as the magnetosphere.

Astronauts' risk

Our star is a constant source of charged particles, and storms that arise on the Sun's surface result in huge numbers of these particles spilling into space.

As well as this plasma, or "solar wind", high velocity particles known as cosmic rays also flood through our galaxy.

The Earth's magnetosphere deflects many of these particles that rain down on the planet, and our atmosphere absorbs most of the rest. The first time we switched it on, it worked

Ruth Bamford

International space agencies acknowledge that astronauts face a significant risk of ill health and even death if they experience major exposure to this harsh environment.

And even the spacecraft themselves are not immune to the effects. A solar flare crippled the electronics on Japan's mission to Mars, Nozomi, in 2002, for example.

But researchers from the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL), the Universities of York and Strathclyde, and IST Lisbon have shown how it might be possible to create a portable mini-magnetosphere for spaceships.

People scale

In its experimental set-up, the team simulated the solar wind in the laboratory and used magnetic fields to isolate an area inside the plasma, deflecting particles around the "hole".

It was not initially clear the idea would work, said Ruth Bamford, who led the research.

"There was a belief that you couldn't make a little hole in the solar wind small enough to do this at all," Dr Bamford, from RAL, told BBC News.

"It was believed that you had to have something very large, approaching planetary scale, to work in this way."

The team has had to take into account the physics of plasmas at the comparatively tiny human scale. To create its metre-sized trial, the team used a plasma jet and a simple $20 magnet.

"The first time we switched it on, it worked," said Dr Bamford.

What is more, the trial field seems to adjust itself automatically. "It does have the capacity to be somewhat self-regulating, just like the Earth's magnetosphere is," Dr Bamford explained.

"When it gets a strong push from the solar wind, the bubble gets smaller. The video shows us increasing the pressure of the solar wind, and the shield gets smaller but brighter."

cont.on link above.

Steve_A · 11-05-2008, 11:11 AM

Hi Antaletriangle,

I saw that report also. It appears that magnetic technology is slowly coming out into the mainstream, even if it is only for space travellers.

Not wanting to change the subject that much, but keeping on the exploring technologies and sciences, what do you really think happened with that Large Hadron Collider? I know that we must accept on face value what the scientists say and eleive that the machine broke down after only a couple of days in action.

Are we to accept that after years and years of preparation, careful planning and construction which cost hundreds of millions of dollars, after a couple of days they discovered that a spark plug was faulty? (Sounds like an excuse for my old Morris Minor!).

Could there be a possibility that something was beginning to happen and they had to stop, or, on the other hand nothing was happenning and they wanted to save face?

Of course these are only possibilities. It would be interesting if anybody had some inside information about this...

Best regards,

Steve

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antaletriangle

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7706844.stm
Future astronauts could benefit from a magnetic "umbrella" that deflects harmful space radiation around their crew capsule, scientists say.

The super-fast charged particles that stream away from the Sun pose a significant threat to any long-duration mission, such as to the Moon or Mars.

iainl140285 · 11-05-2008, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve_A

Hi Antaletriangle,

I saw that report also. It appears that magnetic technology is slowly coming out into the mainstream, even if it is only for space travellers.

Not wanting to change the subject that much, but keeping on the exploring technologies and sciences, what do you really think happened with that Large Hadron Collider? I know that we must accept on face value what the scientists say and eleive that the machine broke down after only a couple of days in action.

Are we to accept that after years and years of preparation, careful planning and construction which cost hundreds of millions of dollars, after a couple of days they discovered that a spark plug was faulty? (Sounds like an excuse for my old Morris Minor!).

Could there be a possibility that something was beginning to happen and they had to stop, or, on the other hand nothing was happenning and they wanted to save face?

Of course these are only possibilities. It would be interesting if anybody had some inside information about this...

Best regards,

Steve

Hi Steve,

I have been thinking about this myself.
Perhaps CERN was allowed to build the experiment up to the point of completion but were not allowed to proceed until we reach a certain point in time. i.e. The same reason that Dan Burisch claims we cannot use the looking glass technology.

Just a thought

Peace
Iain

Antaletriangle · 11-07-2008, 10:37 AM

They claim there was a massive helium leak that contaminated the magnet operation.

11-05-2008, 05:53 AM	#1
Antaletriangle Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: U.K. Posts: 3,380	Magnetic shield for spacefarers nov 5th http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7706844.stm Future astronauts could benefit from a magnetic "umbrella" that deflects harmful space radiation around their crew capsule, scientists say. The super-fast charged particles that stream away from the Sun pose a significant threat to any long-duration mission, such as to the Moon or Mars. But the research team says a spaceship equipped with a magnetic field generator could protect its occupants. Lab tests are reported in the journal Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion. The approach mimics the protective field that envelops the Earth, known as the magnetosphere. Astronauts' risk Our star is a constant source of charged particles, and storms that arise on the Sun's surface result in huge numbers of these particles spilling into space. As well as this plasma, or "solar wind", high velocity particles known as cosmic rays also flood through our galaxy. The Earth's magnetosphere deflects many of these particles that rain down on the planet, and our atmosphere absorbs most of the rest. The first time we switched it on, it worked Ruth Bamford International space agencies acknowledge that astronauts face a significant risk of ill health and even death if they experience major exposure to this harsh environment. And even the spacecraft themselves are not immune to the effects. A solar flare crippled the electronics on Japan's mission to Mars, Nozomi, in 2002, for example. But researchers from the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL), the Universities of York and Strathclyde, and IST Lisbon have shown how it might be possible to create a portable mini-magnetosphere for spaceships. People scale In its experimental set-up, the team simulated the solar wind in the laboratory and used magnetic fields to isolate an area inside the plasma, deflecting particles around the "hole". It was not initially clear the idea would work, said Ruth Bamford, who led the research. "There was a belief that you couldn't make a little hole in the solar wind small enough to do this at all," Dr Bamford, from RAL, told BBC News. "It was believed that you had to have something very large, approaching planetary scale, to work in this way." The team has had to take into account the physics of plasmas at the comparatively tiny human scale. To create its metre-sized trial, the team used a plasma jet and a simple $20 magnet. "The first time we switched it on, it worked," said Dr Bamford. What is more, the trial field seems to adjust itself automatically. "It does have the capacity to be somewhat self-regulating, just like the Earth's magnetosphere is," Dr Bamford explained. "When it gets a strong push from the solar wind, the bubble gets smaller. The video shows us increasing the pressure of the solar wind, and the shield gets smaller but brighter." cont.on link above.

11-07-2008, 10:37 AM	#4
Antaletriangle Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: U.K. Posts: 3,380	Re: Magnetic shield for spacefarers nov 5th They claim there was a massive helium leak that contaminated the magnet operation.