Designing space habitats that can support human life for extended periods requires overcoming significant engineering challenges. Traditional rotating habitats, intended to simulate gravity through centrifugal force, are limited by the structural strength of materials. A novel approach proposes decoupling the rotating habitat from its supporting structure, allowing the habitat to function as a rotating inner ring within a static outer ring. This design reduces the structural mass needed and enables the construction of arbitrarily large habitats using standard materials. Superconducting magnetic levitation can be employed to suspend the rotating habitat within the static structure, minimizing friction and wear. This innovative design could pave the way for more efficient and sustainable space habitats. orbital.design
Another advancement focuses on radiation protection for space habitats. A proposed magnetic shielding system, known as CREW HaT, aims to create an open magnetic field around a habitat to deflect harmful cosmic radiation. This system utilizes a cylindrical Halbach array coil arrangement to generate an enhanced external magnetic field while suppressing it within the habitat. The use of high-temperature superconductors enables the necessary high currents for this system. By providing a lightweight and deployable solution, CREW HaT could significantly improve the safety and viability of long-term human habitation in space. arxiv.org