Is Radiation Protection in Space Travel Possible?

Beyond low-orbit Earth is space that presents the grave dangers of exposure to massive amounts of radiation from the sun and supernovas. This puts astronauts at a much higher risk for developing cancer and other life-threatening health problems. So, is radiation protection in space travel possible? Although one of the best methods to protect against exposure to radiation here on Earth is simply to use a physical shield such as a concrete structure, this is pretty impractical in space. Astronauts can't travel in concrete suits or through a system of concrete tunnels running from one celestial body to the next. Scientists believe there's some protection to be offered by specialized plastics, aluminum, and liquid hydrogen; however, none of these makes achieving radiation protection in space travel any easier.

Radiation in space is electrically charged particles from the sun and charged atomic nuclei from supernovas. According to the article, "A Force Field For Astronauts" by Patrick L. Barry, the relatively simple principles of electromagnetism might be a clue to one day achieve radiation protection in space travel. Mr. Barry, in his article, briefly explains just how the application of these principles could possibly be the answer to artificially building a protective force field for astronauts. Particles with the same charge repel each other whereas particles with opposite charges attract. If a force field consisting of particles with the same charge as incoming radiation could be created, theoretically, it would cause that radiation to bounce away, thus protecting anyone covered by it.

While the theory might sound logical; will it work? There are some serious threats that would need to be worked out--if that's possible. Scientists propose that the construction of electrically charged spheres above a space station, for example a lunar base, could act as a deflective force field and provide radiation protection in space travel. But, since radiation is both positively and negatively charged particles, how will the field dynamically adjust its charges to maintain constant deflection? Also, with a lunar base, they would have to contend with solar wind blowing across the shield. Solar wind is electrically charged also; therefore, what would stop it from being trapped in the field and creating unpredictable electrical currents of a magnitude never seen before? Astronauts would be working directly under such currents.

Despite the amazing advancement of technology, there are still a multitude of problems unsolved on Earth. How will attempting to solve problems in another world ever be truly feasible until men can face and solve the problems he has created in his own world? Man never seems to understand that his interference with things he shouldn't be trying to control only sinks him deeper into trouble. Some people, with good reason, believe that man's place is here on Earth, not in space, and in leaving his place, he will surely invite misery into his life. He may be curious, but the mysteries of space are not to be known to him, he was placed in a garden on Earth, not Mars, or anywhere else. He was given the earth, not the heavens (space). The biblical scripture of Psalm 115:16 says, "The Heaven, even the heavens (space), are the Lord's, but the earth hath he given to the children of men (mankind) (KJV, Psalm 115:16).