Create shield from Earth-like field for spacecraft

The European Nuclear Research Organization (CERN) came up with the idea of ​​equipping spacecraft and astronauts with a superconducting magnetic shield to protect against deadly radiation in the universe.

From artificial fields to spacecraft

Cosmic radiation is a beam of charged particles with high speed and gravity, coming from all directions in space. Recent studies in mice have shown that exposure to these radiation causes brain damage and impaired cognitive function.

ISS astronaut works in space.(Photo: NASA)

Life on Earth exists because of the magnetic field shielded from these radiation. For astronauts working in outer space and on planets without magnetic fields like Mars will not have this protection. They will be at risk of brain damage and many types of cancer. Human exploration of space is also limited.

A team of scientists from CERN recently said they are testing a superconducting compound called magnesium diboride to create an artificial magnetic field that shields the spacecraft. This is the "Superconducting Space Radiation Shield" project (SR2S) funded by the European Union.

" If the prototype is successful, we will have an important basis to believe in the feasibility of a magnetic field superconducting shield for spacecraft," said Amalia Ballarino, a scientist working on the project. .

Superconductors are conductors without low-temperature resistors, which can run permanently in superconductors without consuming energy. Furthermore, since all charged particles when moving produce a magnetic field, this property can be used to create an artificial magnetosphere, shielding the spacecraft from harmful radiation.