Did you hear anything about the space station having something to do with solving the problem of future radiation meltdowns?

No, the space station could not divert radiation. No possible way it could do that.

@Rarebear I don’t think they meant at this point, but invent something and equip it so that it could in the future.

With it’s tractor beam and deflector dish yeah I heard about that too…. or was that the Enterprise?

A problem that needs to be solved for deep space flight is protecting astronauts from radiation. Perhaps you saw an article on that?

@flo No, there is no possible physical mechanism whatsoever for the space station to divert radiation. But I could be wrong. Do you have a source?

The only connection I can imagine is that the combined international space program, which always involves exposure to cosmic rays, does a lot of research on radiation shielding, protective suits, & other technology that might also apply to exposure at nuclear power plants.

Ironically, it was the Japanese who, just a few weeks before the earthquake, re-supplied the ISS with another unmanned “robo-ship” delivery. I hope their space facilities weren’t seriously damaged in the disaster.

@gasman Now that makes sense.

I will have to find out where I heard it from. Anyway the key term is “in the future”.

@flo Right, but the space station is ‘80s and ‘90s technology.

@Rarebear But does it have to remain 80s and 90’s technology?

@flo Well, unless they rebuild the entire thing, yes. There will be add ons, but the basic technology is standard.