The discussion centers on the feasibility of creating artificial gravity in spaceships through rotation, specifically using counter-rotating wheels to mitigate motion sickness and manage angular momentum. Participants highlight the challenges of maneuvering a rotating ship and propose solutions such as using gyroscopes and internal weight shifts to adjust the ship's axis without thrusters. The conversation also references NASA's consideration of rotating modules for the ISS, indicating that the technical challenges are manageable. Key resources include Project Rho for rocket design and human factors in spaceflight.
PREREQUISITESSpacecraft designers, aerospace engineers, science fiction writers, and anyone interested in the mechanics of artificial gravity and spacecraft maneuverability.
It's likely that physiological effects vary with g (maybe even proportionally), but there are many practical reasons why partial g might be of value. Just the part about everything not physically attached to a wall floating away is a big issue.trainman2001 said:It doesn’t have to be 1g, does it? How much below 1g would humans still be able to retain normal biological functions and musculoskeletal integrity. It would be considerably less energy to accelerate at 1/3 g than 1g, or to spin a habitat to that level. It all depends on what we need to thrive over the long haul. Living on Mars or Moon at their reduced gravities would tell us a lot.
Variable gee would be useful for outbound and homebound voyages from Mars where the acclimation could be done gradually and naturally each way.russ_watters said:It's likely that physiological effects vary with g (maybe even proportionally), but there are many practical reasons why partial g might be of value. Just the part about everything not physically attached to a wall floating away is a big issue.