4 ms·
Good points, though I don't see why artificial gravity makes the list. Not only is it already a solved problem (centrifuges are easy enough to make) but it is
by seanflyon 12y ago
Good points, though I don't see why artificial gravity makes the list. Not only is it already a solved problem (centrifuges are easy enough to make) but it is also not necessary. People already live in space without the benefits of gravity for longer than the trip to mars would take.
- toomuchtodo 12y agoMicrogravity is hell on your skeletal and cardiovascular system. Artificial gravity is a must for interplanetary travel.
- danielweber 12y agoCentrifuges in space are not a solved problem. AFAIK there has been exactly 1 experiment in space with artificial g, at very low levels of g. You want to be able to maneuver and orient your ship even while it is spinning, and you want to study the failure conditions (most plans call for two tethered modules held by cable -- you want to experiment with what happens if that cable under tension breaks). Also, we just don't know what 3 years of Martian gravity does to a human. It would be good to see just how much better 3/8 g is against 0 g.