On the lighter side(pun intended) (Space stations and artificial gravity.)

[Epidemic]

I felt that we needed to take this topic out of thread crap status .

I get peeved every time I look at the single biggest test of manned space travel being overlooked.

I Just do not understand why no one has effectively put an astronaut in a capsule at the end of a thether and spun him around to simulate gravity.

It simply seems to be the next logical step in space stations. This testing I feel is about 20 years over due.

http://www.permanent.com/s-centri.htm

[M_Six]

Arrrrgh. You're going to ruin my rep as a Master Threadcrapper.

I have a question, epidemic.

To spin the astronaut on atether, you need a pivot. Right? Somewhere to anchor him. Where can you get that?

I also heard that spinning space stations can simulate graviti and I saw it on Star Trek but don't know the technological feasibility of doing this as you create both centrifugal and centripetal forces (my high school physiks is shaky after 30 years) but for gravity you need some mass, no?

[Epidemic]

In order to do it you need only have two relatively equal mass objects at the end of a tether. Most designs have a hard latice frame with a zero G module in the middle for experiments and a transfer tunnel running between three distict modules. But for testing I would think you could use a cable and two rather modest capsules. Sit someone in this get up for 6 months and see if they are subject to the ill effects of space associated with lack of gravity.

I am just sickened by the lack of testing in this arena. We could do this years ago IMO.

The mechanics of a large scale project may be more difficult but to proving of the effects on the human body could be done tomarrow.

[cyphen]

Originally posted by shahani
I have a question, epidemic.

To spin the astronaut on atether, you need a pivot. Right? Somewhere to anchor him. Where can you get that?

I also heard that spinning space stations can simulate graviti and I saw it on Star Trek but don't know the technological feasibility of doing this as you create both centrifugal and centripetal forces (my high school physiks is shaky after 30 years) but for gravity you need some mass, no?

centrifugal and centripetal forces are complementary, just as the force of gravity we feel on us is countered by the force of the ground we feel "pushing up" on us stopping our descent.

According to Einsteins General Theory of Relativity, Gravity is equivalent to acceleration. When spinning at a constant rate, acceleration is always changing because direction (a portion of velocity as velocity is a vector consisting of speed and direction) is always changing. Therefore, a spinning mass always feels a force downward away from the center of the spin.

A side note - Einstein originally called this the "Equivalence" Principle.

[Epidemic]

So should nasa perform this as their next test after figuring out how to keep foam from smacking the wings.

I think the foam smaking the wing is a bigger issue. They are now also saying manned space flites are not necessary and everything can be doen better and cheeper with robotic automation.

[Epidemic]

The "They" say lots of things. Manned space flight in itself will yield benefits as of yet unthought of. This is a stepping stone to mars and beyond.

I think we are at least 20 to 30 years behind where we should be in manned space flight.

Besides the "They" are not adventurous. Above the science and benefits of it. It just rocks and is cooooollll.

As for the foam insulation. I think this is probably a relatively simple problem to overcome. They need to improve the strength of the foam It probably is a relatively simple materials problem.

With current situation as it is, would you volunteer to ride on shuttle next launch?

Just a thought.

[Epidemic]

Actually I would ride on a shuttle tomorrow with my current knowledge of risks.

But I would like to see them work on the foam insulation a bit first. But the wiring defects and all I would hop the next one.