MAGNETO-IONIZATION SPACECRAFT SHIELD FOR INTERPLANETARY TRAVEL

Lethal radiation, the strains of low gravity on the human body, and micrometeoroids moving fast enough to puncture metal; these are just some of the challenges facing manned interplanetary travel. MISSFIT is a multi-department, student-led collaboration working to develop designs to combat these issues. To combat radiation, we are testing different combinations of materials to attenuate electromagnetic radiation and creating a magnetic field to deflect charged particles or direct them into bubbles of gas where they can be safely neutralized. For artificial gravity, we have devised a method of oscillation that reduces the necessary size of the spacecraft, thus making it more efficient and cost-effective. We are creating an apparatus to test the viability of this method. We have simulated the cardiovascular system under the conditions of artificial gravity. For the micrometeoroids, we have developed a simulation to test high-velocity impacts. This collaboration is in its third year of work and has developed a proof of concept that the shielding method is effective. Our current research focuses on optimizing specific parameters.