Some relatively good news on this topic. This article was published in December, 2012 Source: http://www.space.com/18980-radiation-manned-exploration-deep-space.html A more recent development, this article published in July, 2015 Source:http://physicsworld.com/cws/article...-foams-could-make-promising-radiation-shields Metal foams could make promising radiation shields This increases the possibility of a safer manned mission to Mars and beyond, if the people inside the space vehicle are shielded from harmful radiation. The article won't get much press probably, but I found it interesting and wanted to share.
materials science is a booming field and its only going to get more exciting as research translates into technology. Glad to see progress on the single largest inhibitor of manned space exploration. Spider webbing next?
I'll disagree, the biggest hurdle in any long term space venture is the logistics of keeping the carbon life form alive. It is also the biggest chunk of payload in a normal space flight. Take out man, put in more science... Without man, we'll get a lot more done through robotics and drones.
For psychological reasons, crews should be recruited from submariners. I just had that epiphany. Not pilots. Think of the similar challenges both face. Oh, and coil a copper wire around it all to generate the field to deflect cosmic rays. Moi r > g View attachment 38334 Across an immense, unguarded, ethereal border, Canadians, cool and unsympathetic, regard our America with envious eyes and slowly and surely draw their plans against us.
