– Radiation is preventing us from space travel. It takes 2.5 meters of water to shield against gamma rays and a magnetic field only deflects large particles. How are we ever going to travel in space without radiation shielding?

Question

Realistically, what would it actually take to protect against cosmic radiation? Can it even be done? What are some options?

In: Physics

Answer 1

Radiation isn’t “preventing” anything. We can fly through space, we just can’t fly through it *a lot,* because the danger comes primarily from repeated and extended exposure. A round-trip to Mars and back is going to increase your cancer *risk* by quite a lot, and it will probably be enough to ground any astronaut for the rest of their lives, but it’s not going to fry them.