Toroidal magnetic fields for protecting astronauts from ionizing radiation in long duration deep space missions

Among the configurations of superconducting magnet structures proposed for protecting manned spaceships or manned deep space bases from ionizing radiation, toroidal ones are the most appealing for the efficient use of the magnetic field, being most of the incoming particle directions perpendicular to the induction lines of the field. The parameters of the toroid configuration essentially depend from the shape and volume of the habitat to be protected and the level of protection to be guaranteed. Two options are considered: (1) the magnetic system forming with the habitat a unique complex (compact toroid) to be launched as one piece; (2) the magnetic system to be launched separately from the habitat and assembled around it in space (large toroid). In first option the system habitat+toroid is assumed to have a cylindrical shape, with the toroid surrounding a cylindrical habitat, and launched with its axis on the axis of the launching system. The outer diameter is limited by the diameter of the shroud, which for present and foreseeable launching systems cannot be more than 9 m. The habitat is assumed to be 10 m long and have a 4 m diameter, leaving about 2 m all around for the protecting magnetic field. The volume of the habitat results about 100 m(3), barely sufficient to a somewhat small crew (4-5 members) for a long duration ( congruent to 2 years) mission. Technological problems and the huge magnetic pressure exerted on the inner cylindrical conductor of the toroid limit to not more than 4 T the maximum intensity of the magnetic field. With these parameters the mitigation of the dose inside the habitat due to the galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) is about 70% at minimum solar activity, while also most intense solar events cannot significantly contribute to the dose. The toroidal magnetic field can be produced by a large number of windings of the superconducting cable, arranged in cylindrical symmetry around the habitat to form continuous inner and outer cylindrical surfaces ('continuous' winding). In the option of separated launches for the habitat and the magnetic system, the volume of the habitat can be much larger, up to approximate to 300 m(3), i.e. a volume to be considered for a permanently manned space basis rather than for a spaceship. The toroidal field can occupy a larger volume around it, and indeed be less intense (B <3 T) for obtaining the same mitigation of the radiation dose inside the habitat. Also for the separate launches option several structural arrangements can be foreseen, depending from the considered number of windings. The limit of only two huge windings is the most attractive, as it minimizes the material and could be mechanically more stable, but it could be the most difficult to be assembled in space. Main parameters for the different configurations are reported, and the plan for the development of solutions and techniques is presented. (C) 2014 IAA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.