notes Coriolis

On 9/22/10 1:54 AM, Matt Gallimore wrote:

> At one point the conversation was on simple ways to get some simulated
> gravity.
> In keeping with that approach, the total structure would be small. Rama
> was so
> large (miles in diameter) that the rpm was very low. The docking vessel
> just
> approached the middle of one end and the low rpms had a very small
> effect on the
> docking ship. At the other end of the scale we could be talking about
> structures turning at up to 2 or 3 rpm.

Yes, but I don't think there's any serious problem with a ship matching
the rotation of a dock at 2 or 3 rpm, either. Compared to matching
orbits, matching rotation is easy.

A bigger problem with this approach, IMHO, is that it doesn't scale --
your docking port has to be exactly on the axis of the station, so you
can have at most two of them (unless you invoke some really complicated
docking geometry).

Rotating seals are a well-developed technology, so I think the obvious
solution is the best one: a non-rotating docking hub or ring, to which a
large number of ships can attach. You disembark in zero-G, go through
the rotating door, float over to the elevator, and take it down to full G.

Best,
- Joe