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> We can spin space stations, there's no need for microgravity research. My understanding is that the problem with 'spin gravity' is that unless you are talkin

> We can spin space stations, there's no need for microgravity research. My understanding is that the problem with 'spin gravity' is that unless you are talking about enormous truly enormous space stations, then the human vestibular system becomes a major issue. Plus, then there's the issue with ensuring that the station remains balanced, and the additional material strength requirements. I don't think "spinning space stations" is quite as simple a solution.

m4rtink 6y ago
A "simple workaround is to have two masses connected by cables, that spin around a common barycenter. That way you can get good fake g at human safe RPM. And it reduces the balancing issues significantly. While traversing between the two parts might be tricky, the craft could be divided into manned and unmanned part connected by cables, to reduce "traffic" between the two to a minimum.
- paranoidrobot 6y ago
  IF it were such a simple work-around, you'd think that they'd have done it already. I'm no space engineer, but even I can spot a huge number of problems with going with a cable-counterweight system.
  - m4rtink 6y ago
    They did: https://www.nasa.gov/image-feature/sept-14-1966-gemini-xi-artificial-gravity-experiment https://www.nasa.gov/image-feature/sept-14-1966-gemini-xi-ar... "On Sept. 14, 1966, the Gemini XI spacecraft is tethered to an Agena target vehicle. Gemini XI command pilot Charles "Pete" Conrad and pilot Dick Gordon are maneuvering their craft to keep the tether taut between the two. By firing their side thrusters to slowly rotate the combined spacecraft, they were able to use centrifugal force to generate about 0.00015 g of artificial gravity." Why this is not being used now ? I guess because it was not seen as a priority for Apollo and followup (US) missions as they usually took just two weeks at a maximum. Health effects of microgravity have been also understood in more details & how they can be overcome for the short flight durations. With the ISS & missions lasting half a year (and longer for some crews) artificial gravity would indeed be more useful, but hard to pull off for a big permanent installation like the ISS, that needs to maneuver to accept spacecraft while also providing reasonable microgravity environment for experiments.

m4rtink 6y ago

A "simple workaround is to have two masses connected by cables, that spin around a common barycenter. That way you can get good fake g at human safe RPM. And it reduces the balancing issues significantly. While traversing between the two parts might be tricky, the craft could be divided into manned and unmanned part connected by cables, to reduce "traffic" between the two to a minimum.

paranoidrobot 6y ago
IF it were such a simple work-around, you'd think that they'd have done it already. I'm no space engineer, but even I can spot a huge number of problems with going with a cable-counterweight system.
- m4rtink 6y ago
  They did: https://www.nasa.gov/image-feature/sept-14-1966-gemini-xi-artificial-gravity-experiment https://www.nasa.gov/image-feature/sept-14-1966-gemini-xi-ar... "On Sept. 14, 1966, the Gemini XI spacecraft is tethered to an Agena target vehicle. Gemini XI command pilot Charles "Pete" Conrad and pilot Dick Gordon are maneuvering their craft to keep the tether taut between the two. By firing their side thrusters to slowly rotate the combined spacecraft, they were able to use centrifugal force to generate about 0.00015 g of artificial gravity." Why this is not being used now ? I guess because it was not seen as a priority for Apollo and followup (US) missions as they usually took just two weeks at a maximum. Health effects of microgravity have been also understood in more details & how they can be overcome for the short flight durations. With the ISS & missions lasting half a year (and longer for some crews) artificial gravity would indeed be more useful, but hard to pull off for a big permanent installation like the ISS, that needs to maneuver to accept spacecraft while also providing reasonable microgravity environment for experiments.