London, Nov 4: Scientists have come up with a practical solution for shielding astronauts from deadly solar storms, which may bring plans for a manned mission to Mars one step closer to reality.
Though putting a man on the Red Planet has been the dream of scientists ever since space travel was first envisaged, the greatest challenge facing them has been how to protect astronauts and their space ships from solar storms.
Solar storms are radioactive clouds of particles that shred human DNA and destroy electronic instruments.
Now, according to a report in the Telegraph, British researchers believe they have come up with a practical solution by mimicking the Earth''s own protection - a mini magnetic field that deflects the fatal particles.