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Briefing
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- Proposed Magnetic Shield – NASA director Jim Green presented proposal to place magnetic shield around Mars to cover it from solar wind and radiation, at NASA's Planetary Science Vision 2050 Workshop
- Ancient Magnetic Field – Scientists believe Mars used to have magnetic field that protected its atmosphere, like Earth, but disappeared 4.2 billion years ago, making it cold and inhabitable
- Magnetic Shield Simulations – Scientists from Ames Research Center, Goddard Space Flight Center, University of Colorado, Princeton University, and Rutherford Appleton Laboratory conducted series of simulations to test idea at Coordinated Community Modeling Center (CCMC)
- Enhance Mars’ Atmosphere – Results show Mars’ atmosphere could thicken over time and one-seventh of Mars’ oceans could be restored, allowing for heavier equipment to land on surface, extending ability for oxygen extraction, and providing greenhouse gases for plants
- Facilitate Manned Missions – Could also facilitate human exploration of Mars, which NASA plans for 2030 and beyond, saving astronauts from exposure to radiation and oxygen deprivation
- Study Mars Surface – Could let humans study Mars in greater detail, determining whether habitat is livable, paving way for future colonization
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