4 ms·

There was a scifi story decades ago about using small but heavy objects (neutronium, IIRC) as an integral part of space ships. The idea was not to use them to

There was a scifi story decades ago about using small but heavy objects (neutronium, IIRC) as an integral part of space ships. The idea was not to use them to generate energy, but to generate a gravitational field to counteract the effects on humans of high acceleration. The object was held in front of the spacecraft, and would be moved closer when high acceleration was needed. I guess if the ship was just drifting, you'd have the heavy object at a sufficient distance to cause ~1g gravity. I don't remember the story's title or author(s), but it likely appeared in Analog.

at_a_remove 3y ago
It's Charles Sheffield, in particular his McAndrew series.
- mcswell 3y ago
  Thank you! With that help, I was able to find the story: "Moment of Inertial." And here's a link to the story: https://www.baen.com/Chapters/067157857X/067157857X__2.htm https://www.baen.com/Chapters/067157857X/067157857X__2.htm
  - at_a_remove 3y ago
    If I recall, he used that invention in several stories. They're quite enjoyable. Sheffield, as a writer with a hard science background, came up with some very interesting ideas, such as The Sturm Invocation, and the entire Proteus series was very well-considered. Sometimes I get a taste for the diamond-hard sf and he scratches that itch. Hal Clement, too, if you're into that; Half Life is probably the best novel where the concept of the scientific method itself is at the forefront.
    - mcswell 3y ago
      I now have Half Life on order, your fault. I was intrigued by another Hal Clement title, Trio for Slide Rule and Typewriter. I have a slide rule sitting a few feet from me as I write this, in case of emergency. No typewriter, though.
      - at_a_remove 3y ago
        Pay especial attention to the General Order and such right at the very start. I literally have incorporated those two ideas into the highest levels of how I solve problems. Hopefully, you will enjoy the book as much as I.

at_a_remove 3y ago

It's Charles Sheffield, in particular his McAndrew series.

mcswell 3y ago
Thank you! With that help, I was able to find the story: "Moment of Inertial." And here's a link to the story: https://www.baen.com/Chapters/067157857X/067157857X__2.htm https://www.baen.com/Chapters/067157857X/067157857X__2.htm
- at_a_remove 3y ago
  If I recall, he used that invention in several stories. They're quite enjoyable. Sheffield, as a writer with a hard science background, came up with some very interesting ideas, such as The Sturm Invocation, and the entire Proteus series was very well-considered. Sometimes I get a taste for the diamond-hard sf and he scratches that itch. Hal Clement, too, if you're into that; Half Life is probably the best novel where the concept of the scientific method itself is at the forefront.
  - mcswell 3y ago
    I now have Half Life on order, your fault. I was intrigued by another Hal Clement title, Trio for Slide Rule and Typewriter. I have a slide rule sitting a few feet from me as I write this, in case of emergency. No typewriter, though.
    - at_a_remove 3y ago
      Pay especial attention to the General Order and such right at the very start. I literally have incorporated those two ideas into the highest levels of how I solve problems. Hopefully, you will enjoy the book as much as I.