British scientists are planning to see whether a Star Trek-style deflector shield could be built to protect astronauts from radiation.

They argue that magnetic shields could be deployed around spacecraft and on the surfaces of planets to deflect harmful energised particles.

Several countries' space agencies have announced their intentions to resume human exploration of the Solar System.

Scientists hope to mimic the magnetic field which protects the Earth.

Details have been presented at the Royal Astronomical Society's National Astronomy Meeting in Preston, UK.

There are a variety of risks facing future space explorers, not least of which is the cancer-causing radiation encountered when missions venture beyond the protective magnetic envelope, or magnetosphere, which shields the Earth against these energetic particles.


wow the future is almost here
see it complete here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6567709.stm:o

hmm ok wheres the warp drive ships.thats what i like ta c.

Deflector shild is one of great idea for us. If it actually becomes true, we'll be able to deffend spaceship from most threat of space such as asteroid,space debris...

...or even lasers and photon torpedoes!! Sorry, couldn't resist:=

There are also more interesting news like:

UN warns on impacts of biofuels >> http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6636467.stm
Galileo system 'in a deep crisis' >> http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6634285.stm
Mobile TV predicted to be a hit >> http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6639249.stm

Quote

Originally posted by Nighthawk8799 (view)
...or even lasers and photon torpedoes!! Sorry, couldn't resist:=

I think most lasers can be reflected with the mirror. Maybe it is effective than deflector shild...

Quote

Originally posted by MK1 (view)
There are also more interesting news like:

UN warns on impacts of biofuels >> http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6636467.stm
Galileo system 'in a deep crisis' >> http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6634285.stm
Mobile TV predicted to be a hit >> http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6639249.stm

I'm sorry to hear that rapid use of biofuels also has a big influence on the environment. Even if I start to use biofuels, I always have to notice about the engines idling.

lol. Never thought I'd find discussion of exotic technologies here. These are all interesting ideas, but they'll be much cooler when they're real:)

Yep:E Can't wait till we can combine a functional and stable nuclear fusion reactor with nanotech. Then we can finally have those nuclear powered vacuums promised in the 50's := (physical improbability of making a usable fusion reactor small enough to fit in a household appliance aside)


I figured I should back up the whole nuclear powered vacuum clam, and this is the first source I could find:

http://m.clipmarks.com/clipmark/8A73FD94-F721-4847-B398-06DFF3F9F900/

I might replace it with a better source later....but I'm lazy.