Deployed electromagnetic radiation deflector shield assembly

Abstract

Example aspects of an assembly and a method for using a deployed electromagnetic radiation deflector shield are disclosed. The assembly can comprise a deployable deployed electromagnetic radiation deflector shield comprising: a power supply; and an electromagnet configured to generate a magnetic field to deflect radiation; and a spacecraft, wherein the deployed electromagnetic radiation deflector shield is unattached to the spacecraft when deployed from the spacecraft, wherein the deployed electromagnetic radiation deflector shield is deployed at a distance away from the spacecraft, and wherein the distance is configured to prevent the magnetic field generated by the electromagnet from interfering with the spacecraft.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An assembly comprising:
 a deployable deployed electromagnetic radiation deflector shield comprising:
 a power supply; and 
 an electromagnet configured to generate a magnetic field to deflect radiation; and 
   a spacecraft, wherein the deployed electromagnetic radiation deflector shield is unattached to the spacecraft when deployed from the spacecraft, wherein the deployed electromagnetic radiation deflector shield is deployed at a distance away from the spacecraft, and wherein the distance is configured to prevent the magnetic field generated by the electromagnet from interfering with the spacecraft.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the deployed electromagnetic radiation deflector shield further comprises a plasma injector configured to inject a plasma gas into the magnetic field to boost an effectiveness of the magnetic field. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the plasma injector comprises a plasma gas, the plasma gas comprising at least one of barium and lithium. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic field is configured to vary in strength to optimize a zone of minimum radiation. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the deployed electromagnetic radiation deflector shield further comprises a refrigeration unit, the refrigeration unit comprising a refrigerant configured to reduce a temperature of the electromagnet. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the refrigerant comprises at least one of helium and nitrogen. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the refrigeration unit comprises coils surrounding the electromagnet, and wherein the refrigerant is transferred through the coils. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a sensor configured to sense radiation and a propulsion device configured to move the position of the deployed electromagnetic radiation deflector shield relative to the spacecraft to align the magnetic field with the radiation. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the propulsion device comprises at least one thruster coupled to the deployed electromagnetic radiation deflector shield and a thruster control unit configured to control the thruster. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the deployed electromagnetic radiation deflector shield is stowed within the spacecraft when not deployed from the spacecraft. 
     
     
         11 . An assembly comprising:
 a deployable first deployed electromagnetic radiation deflector shield comprising a first electromagnet configured to generate a first magnetic field;   a deployable second deployed electromagnetic radiation deflector shield comprising a second electromagnet configured to generate a second magnetic field, wherein the first and second magnetic fields together define a primary magnetic field; and   a spacecraft, wherein the first and second deployed electromagnetic radiation deflectors shield are each deployed to a distance away from the spacecraft such that the primary magnetic field does not interfere with the spacecraft.   
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein each of the first and second deployed electromagnetic radiation deflector shields are unattached to the spacecraft when deployed from the spacecraft. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the first and second deployed electromagnetic radiation deflector shields are stowed within the spacecraft when not deployed from the spacecraft. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the primary magnetic field creates a zone of minimum radiation, and wherein the entire spacecraft lies within the zone of minimum radiation. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the first deployed electromagnetic radiation deflector shield is repositionable relative to the second deployed electromagnetic radiation deflector shield to adjust at least one of a size and a shape of the zone of minimum radiation. 
     
     
         16 . A method for using a deployed electromagnetic radiation deflector shield comprising:
 deploying the deployed electromagnetic radiation deflector shield from a spacecraft, wherein the deployed electromagnetic radiation deflector shield is unattached to the spacecraft when deployed;   moving the deployed electromagnetic radiation deflector shield into a desired position relative to the spacecraft; and   generating a magnetic field to deflect radiation from the spacecraft, wherein the deployed electromagnetic radiation deflector shield is deployed to a distance such that the magnetic field does not interfere with the spacecraft.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising sensing radiation with a sensor of the deployed electromagnetic radiation deflector shield and moving the position of the deployed electromagnetic radiation deflector shield to align the magnetic field with the radiation. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the deployed electromagnetic radiation deflector shield comprises a power supply and an electromagnet, and wherein generating a magnetic field comprises supplying power from the power supply to the electromagnet. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein generating a magnetic field creates a zone of minimum radiation, and wherein the entire spacecraft lies within the zone of minimum radiation. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the deployed electromagnetic radiation deflector shield is a first deployed electromagnetic radiation deflector shield, the method further comprising:
 deploying a second deployed electromagnetic radiation deflector shield from the spacecraft; and   repositioning the first deployed electromagnetic radiation deflector shield relative to the second deployed electromagnetic radiation deflector shield to adjust at least one of a size and a shape of the zone of minimum radiation.