An exploration of the effectiveness of artificial mini-magnetospheres as a potential solar storm shelter for long term human space missions

Bamford, R.; Kellett, B. J.; Bradford, John; Todd, Tom; Stafford-Allen, Robin; Alves, E. P.; Silva, Luis; Collingwood, Cheryl; Crawford, Ian; Bingham, R.

doi:10.1016/j.actaastro.2014.10.012

Cited by 35 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 37 publications

(66 reference statements)

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“…Futuristic applications of mini magnetospheres include the concepts of artificial shielding [7][8][9] and propulsion 10 of spacecrafts. The first concerns about protecting the spacecraft and its crew from hazardous radiation in the interplanetary space using an internal dipolar magnetic field created by superconducting coils.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Formation of collisionless shocks in magnetized plasma interaction with kinetic-scale obstacles

et al. 2017

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This version is available at https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/60508/ Strathprints is designed to allow users to access the research output of the University of Strathclyde. Unless otherwise explicitly stated on the manuscript, Copyright © and Moral Rights for the papers on this site are retained by the individual authors and/or other copyright owners. Please check the manuscript for details of any other licences that may have been applied. You may not engage in further distribution of the material for any profitmaking activities or any commercial gain. You may freely distribute both the url (https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/) and the content of this paper for research or private study, educational, or not-for-profit purposes without prior permission or charge.Any correspondence concerning this service should be sent to the Strathprints administrator: strathprints@strath.ac.ukThe Strathprints institutional repository (https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk) is a digital archive of University of Strathclyde research outputs. It has been developed to disseminate open access research outputs, expose data about those outputs, and enable the management and persistent access to Strathclyde's intellectual output.Formation of collisionless shocks in magnetized plasma interaction with kinetic-scale obstacles We investigate the formation of collisionless magnetized shocks triggered by the interaction between magnetized plasma flows and miniature-sized (order of plasma kinetic-scales) magnetic obstacles resorting to massively parallel, full particle-in-cell simulations, including the electron kinetics. The critical obstacle size to generate a compressed plasma region ahead of these objects is determined by independently varying the magnitude of the dipolar magnetic moment and the plasma magnetization. We find that the effective size of the obstacle depends on the relative orientation between the dipolar and plasma internal magnetic fields, and we show that this may be critical to form a shock in small-scale structures. We study the microphysics of the magnetopause in different magnetic field configurations in 2D and compare the results with full 3D simulations. Finally, we evaluate the parameter range where such miniature magnetized shocks can be explored in laboratory experiments. Published by AIP Publishing.[http://dx

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Formation of collisionless shocks in magnetized plasma interaction with kinetic-scale obstacles

et al. 2017

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“…The plasma generated around the space-craft is created by supersonic hydrogen. Figure 10 (Bamford et al, 2014) illustrates the solar wind which is encountering the plasma barrier from left and flowing to the right direction. The held plasma creates a sheath shield that diverts the solar flare and prevents its impact to the space-vehicle (Bamford et al, 2014).…”

Section: Plasma Radiation Shield and Propulsion Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

Application of plasma technology in aerospace vehicles: A review

Anvari¹

2019

J. Eng. Technol. Res.

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The galactic and solar radiation effects on astronauts in space during manned-space missions is one of the issues that scientists are dealing with to come up with a reasonable solution to overcome this disaster. Furthermore, in space missions to Mars, Titan, and beyond them, a powerful propulsion system is required. Recently, with the enhancement of technology in plasma generation, scientists are trying to design and build a plasma radiation shield and plasma propulsion system to create a safe and reliable space-craft for long-term space missions. To produce a plasma radiation shield and/or plasma propulsion system, a strong magnet to generate a magnetic field for electron cloud is required. For charging magnets, appropriate power supplies or fuel cells are needed. Additionally, to create a solid shield against the radiation on crafts skin, some coatings with plasma glow discharge can be deposited. This review focused on the mechanism for plasma radiation shield, different plasma propulsion systems, and different plasma deposited films for space-craft shielding against the radiation. Observations from this review have indicated that the application of plasma technology as a radiation shield, propulsion system, and a tool to produce space-crafts coating seems very promising and helpful for future space missions. However, it is required that practical experiments and financial assessments are considered.

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“…Understanding the kinetic physics around LMAs is not only critical to advance lunar science, also at Mars crustal magnetic fields are observed and believed to complicate the solar wind interaction with its atmosphere [Acuna et al, 1999]. In addition, artificial minimagnetospheres might play an important role in future human space flight as well [Bamford et al, 2014].…”

Section: 1002/2016gl068535mentioning

confidence: 99%

Three‐dimensional full‐kinetic simulation of the solar wind interaction with a vertical dipolar lunar magnetic anomaly

Deca

Divin

Wang

et al. 2016

Geophysical Research Letters

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A detailed understanding of the solar wind interaction with lunar magnetic anomalies (LMAs) is essential to identify its implications for lunar exploration and to enhance our physical understanding of the particle dynamics in a magnetized plasma. We present the first three‐dimensional full‐kinetic electromagnetic simulation case study of the solar wind interaction with a vertical dipole, resembling a medium‐size LMA. In contrast to a horizontal dipole, we show that a vertical dipole twists its field lines and cannot form a minimagnetosphere. Instead, it creates a ring‐shaped weathering pattern and reflects up to 21% (four times more as compared to the horizontal case) of the incoming solar wind ions electrostatically through the normal electric field formed above the electron shielding region surrounding the cusp. This work delivers a vital piece to fully comprehend and interpret lunar observations, as we find the amount of reflected ions to be a tracer for the underlying field structure.

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An exploration of the effectiveness of artificial mini-magnetospheres as a potential solar storm shelter for long term human space missions

Cited by 35 publications

References 37 publications

Formation of collisionless shocks in magnetized plasma interaction with kinetic-scale obstacles

Formation of collisionless shocks in magnetized plasma interaction with kinetic-scale obstacles

Application of plasma technology in aerospace vehicles: A review

Three‐dimensional full‐kinetic simulation of the solar wind interaction with a vertical dipolar lunar magnetic anomaly

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