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Serious question. Given all the difficulties with impact of microgravity on human beings and in this case plant cultivation, why isn't there more serious resear

by sfifs 10y ago

Serious question. Given all the difficulties with impact of microgravity on human beings and in this case plant cultivation, why isn't there more serious research/testing of generating artificial gravity through rotation? We only seem to see that in science fiction, never in real life.

zardo 10y ago
There was a project to install a small rotating ring module on the ISS, but it never came to fruition. A capsule tethered to a second stage, or a pair of capsules is the low-cost* way to do it. The technique was demonstrated during the Gemini missions (at very low g). *Compared to rotating space station As to why... I suspect non-ISS life science research in orbit just has no where to get funding or support.
Mikeb85 10y ago
I imagine building such a spacecraft is a relatively large undertaking. More centrifugal force means a larger diameter spacecraft and a force that is trying to rip it apart (that's what's generating the gravity after all). With NASA's current budget, they probably figure it's easier to just deal with microgravity for a spaceflight with a limited duration (like to Mars). Generating gravity only really makes sense for spaceflights of longer/unlimited duration (interstellar travel).
mtchtrnr 10y ago
Well, for humans it's because you'd need a really big ring to make it actually feel right. If the ring is too small, the difference in outward force created in your head and your feet will be different enough that your blood will rush to your feet and make you pass out. For the most part, your garden variety of plants wouldn't be affected too much by the force gradient. There actually has been quite a bit of research put into this. I'm trying to find a source for this, but a few years back the Japanese burned a bunch money on this kind of research and didn't end up with anything substantial. If you do it on a smaller scale, just for the plants, it also creates the issue of extra angular momentum added to your spacecraft. This is manageable, but definitely something to take into account. But, you're right. If you created gravity on a scale large enough for humans, it would definitely get rid of most of the problems for the plants.
- nickparker 10y ago
  Have you seen any literature on very low gravity rotary setups? Like <0.1g? In the context of this thread, I'm mostly interested because it seems like a happy middle ground to solve your capillary action issues. However it would also be super interesting to see how a small acceleration like that could help with e.g. retinal problems from microgravity.
Arizhel 10y ago
Because people are cheap and stupid. Doing artificial gravity like the space station in 2001: A Space Odyssey requires building a really big space station (because of the large diameter needed to get 1g or close to it, and avoid problems with the force felt at your head being noticeably different than at your feet), which is expensive. It would cost tens of billions of dollars at least. We'd rather spend that money on building more nuclear weapons and on tax cuts for and giveaways to incumbent corporations.

by sfifs 10y ago

zardo 10y ago

There was a project to install a small rotating ring module on the ISS, but it never came to fruition. A capsule tethered to a second stage, or a pair of capsules is the low-cost* way to do it. The technique was demonstrated during the Gemini missions (at very low g). *Compared to rotating space station As to why... I suspect non-ISS life science research in orbit just has no where to get funding or support.

Mikeb85 10y ago

I imagine building such a spacecraft is a relatively large undertaking. More centrifugal force means a larger diameter spacecraft and a force that is trying to rip it apart (that's what's generating the gravity after all). With NASA's current budget, they probably figure it's easier to just deal with microgravity for a spaceflight with a limited duration (like to Mars). Generating gravity only really makes sense for spaceflights of longer/unlimited duration (interstellar travel).

mtchtrnr 10y ago

Well, for humans it's because you'd need a really big ring to make it actually feel right. If the ring is too small, the difference in outward force created in your head and your feet will be different enough that your blood will rush to your feet and make you pass out. For the most part, your garden variety of plants wouldn't be affected too much by the force gradient. There actually has been quite a bit of research put into this. I'm trying to find a source for this, but a few years back the Japanese burned a bunch money on this kind of research and didn't end up with anything substantial. If you do it on a smaller scale, just for the plants, it also creates the issue of extra angular momentum added to your spacecraft. This is manageable, but definitely something to take into account. But, you're right. If you created gravity on a scale large enough for humans, it would definitely get rid of most of the problems for the plants.

nickparker 10y ago
Have you seen any literature on very low gravity rotary setups? Like <0.1g? In the context of this thread, I'm mostly interested because it seems like a happy middle ground to solve your capillary action issues. However it would also be super interesting to see how a small acceleration like that could help with e.g. retinal problems from microgravity.

Arizhel 10y ago

Because people are cheap and stupid. Doing artificial gravity like the space station in 2001: A Space Odyssey requires building a really big space station (because of the large diameter needed to get 1g or close to it, and avoid problems with the force felt at your head being noticeably different than at your feet), which is expensive. It would cost tens of billions of dollars at least. We'd rather spend that money on building more nuclear weapons and on tax cuts for and giveaways to incumbent corporations.