Scientists Working On Shield To Protect Astronauts From Cosmic Radiation For Deep Space Travel

Scientists are collaborating to produce a magnetic shield that will protect astronauts from cosmic rays during deep space missions, getting humans one step closer to Mars.

A team at CERN - the group responsible for the Large Hadron Collider - has teamed up with the European Space Radiation Superconducting Shield (SR2S) project to move space exploration on to the next level.

The superconducting magnetic shield would be confined around the spacecraft to protect the ship and its occupants from potentially harmful cosmic rays while in deep space.

The shield would be 3,000 times stronger than the Earth’s magnetic field and would also have the ability to protect astronauts working within 10m outside of the spacecraft.

Prolonged exposure to cosmic radiation is thought to cause cancers and could also have a detrimental affect on the central nervous system.

If astronauts are going to travel into deep space, to reach Mars or other planets, the technology will be absolutely essential.

A protective shield is also vital to facilitate deep space travel for female astronauts who are biologically more susceptible to the affects of cosmic radiation.

Head of the SR2S project, Professor Roberto Battiston said: “This situation is critical. According to our present knowledge only a very small fraction of NASA’s active astronauts are suitable to stay on the ISS for a one year mission regardless of the fact that the exposure to radiation is two times less than the exposure during deep space travel.

“Researchers must focus on both genders in current and future studies. The next exploration challenges, deep space travel to Near Earth Asteroids and long duration stay on Mars and on the moon, require an effective way to actively shield astronauts.”

Battiston estimates that the team will have the project cracked within three years.

NASA astronaut Scott Kelly and cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko are spending one year in space on a record-breaking mission to study the affects of long-term space missions. Kelly’s ex-astronaut twin brother Mark is staying on Earth to act as a control subject.

Credit: Rex/ESA/Alexander Gerst