Terraforming Mars

In the process of terraforming Mars, radiation from space poses a significant problem due to long-term detrimental effects on human, animal, and plant biology. Moreover, it threatens to dissipate an artificial atmosphere on the planet. This paper presents three approaches to establishing a planetary magnetic field to safeguard Mars from cosmic radiation: reactivating Mars's dynamo, a plasma torus along the orbit of Phobos, and electromagnets. Each approach is evaluated for its feasibility and energy requirements. We find that the most feasible approach is an electromagnet made of the superconductor yttrium barium copper oxide wound around the circumference of Mars. However, manufacturing and maintaining the superconductor below its critical temperature present difficulties. Alternatively, copper may be used, albeit with a substantially higher energy input. The plasma torus is also potentially viable but requires elaborate infrastructure for its containment and operation. Reactivating Mars’s dynamo is infeasible due to the enormous logistical and energy demands.