OrbHab Paper
Artificial Gravity in Theory and Practice (2016)
ID: 353 Flag Paper
Title: Artificial Gravity in Theory and Practice
Authors: T. Hall
Journal Name: 46th International Conference on Environmental Systems
Year of Publication: 2016
Page Number:
Category: technosphere
Availability: pdf
Detail Page: /papers/353
Web Link: https://spacearchitect.org/pubs/ICES-2016-194.pdf
BoK Link: [[paper:353]]
Abstract
Rotationally induced artificial gravity is often contested on two fronts: we don’t know its physiological effects; and, people can’t adapt to it within practical constructible limits of radius and rotation rate. Detractors – including some in the aerospace professional community – sometimes express strong opinions that are not consistent with published research, fundamental theory, or practical experience. To confront those objections, this paper examines the efficacy and implementation of artificial gravity from theoretical and practical perspectives. Contemporary physics posits that all interactions in the universe are attributable to four fundamental forces: strong nuclear, weak nuclear, electromagnetic, and gravitational. The chemical, mechanical, and physiological effects of weight and weightlessness are entirely attributable to the electromagnetic force acting between the electron shells of atoms. The presence of a gravitational field is mostly irrelevant. Other countermeasures to weightlessness, such as exercise, diet, and medications, address myriad individual symptoms but not their underlying cause. With artificial gravity, it is not necessary to enumerate all of the nanoscale dependencies and interactions; it is sufficient to know that the mechanical forces associated with weight are maintained through acceleration, down to the nanoscale of atoms. Living comfortably in rotationally induced artificial gravity might involve a period of adaptation – as does living in weightlessness. It is unreasonable to assert that artificial gravity is unacceptable unless it provides immediate universal comfort – especially considering the significant health benefit it promises. Engineering rotating structures is far less complex than engineering humans to thrive indefinitely in weightlessness.
Title: Artificial Gravity in Theory and Practice
Authors: T. Hall
Journal Name: 46th International Conference on Environmental Systems
Year of Publication: 2016
Page Number:
Category: technosphere
Availability: pdf
Detail Page: /papers/353
Web Link: https://spacearchitect.org/pubs/ICES-2016-194.pdf
BoK Link: [[paper:353]]
Abstract
Rotationally induced artificial gravity is often contested on two fronts: we don’t know its physiological effects; and, people can’t adapt to it within practical constructible limits of radius and rotation rate. Detractors – including some in the aerospace professional community – sometimes express strong opinions that are not consistent with published research, fundamental theory, or practical experience. To confront those objections, this paper examines the efficacy and implementation of artificial gravity from theoretical and practical perspectives. Contemporary physics posits that all interactions in the universe are attributable to four fundamental forces: strong nuclear, weak nuclear, electromagnetic, and gravitational. The chemical, mechanical, and physiological effects of weight and weightlessness are entirely attributable to the electromagnetic force acting between the electron shells of atoms. The presence of a gravitational field is mostly irrelevant. Other countermeasures to weightlessness, such as exercise, diet, and medications, address myriad individual symptoms but not their underlying cause. With artificial gravity, it is not necessary to enumerate all of the nanoscale dependencies and interactions; it is sufficient to know that the mechanical forces associated with weight are maintained through acceleration, down to the nanoscale of atoms. Living comfortably in rotationally induced artificial gravity might involve a period of adaptation – as does living in weightlessness. It is unreasonable to assert that artificial gravity is unacceptable unless it provides immediate universal comfort – especially considering the significant health benefit it promises. Engineering rotating structures is far less complex than engineering humans to thrive indefinitely in weightlessness.