After the success of Artemis IIscience already has its sights set on the colonization of the Moon or Mars. The problem is that, for this to be possible, it would be necessary to develop technologies that do not exist today. For example, you can spend a short time under the effect of microgravity, but if someone wanted to spend very long stays in space, much longer than those of the International Space Station, they would need artificial gravity generation systems. If not, your health could seriously deteriorate. And how is that gravity generated? Theoretically we know it, the problem is getting it.
Einstein gave the first clues. In his Theory of Special RelativityEinstein described something known as the equivalence effect, which stated that gravity and acceleration are indistinguishable effects when they have the same value. That is, since the force of gravity on Earth is 9.8 N, equivalent to an acceleration of 9.8 meters per second squared, if an astronaut traveled in a spacecraft that ascends with an acceleration of 9.8 m/s², he would feel his feet clinging to the ground, even without gravity. For this reason, all theoretical projects to create artificial gravity are based on this principle.
Too much fuel. One option would be the example we have seen. A rocket accelerating at 9.8 m/s². The problem is that to maintain this figure constantly unfeasible amounts of fuel would be needed. It is not something feasible.
Better spinning. Given the technical impossibility of the first option, all projects aim at centripetal acceleration. That is, the acceleration that a rotating body maintains. If we were inside a ship that rotates with a centripetal acceleration of 9.8 m/s², we could imitate gravity. But there is a problem. Centripetal acceleration is equal to angular velocity squared times the radius of the spin path. As if it were the spoke of a bicycle wheel. Angular velocity is the speed at which that object rotates.
If the radius is small, a very high speed is needed to achieve a given acceleration. And of course, the people inside that circular ship would end up very dizzy. On the other hand, in very large ships it would not be necessary to turn so quickly. Therefore, for a small ship it would not be viable, but perhaps something like this could be achieved if a new space station is built in the future. In fact, There is a project to build a luxury hotel in the space that would be shaped like a giant wheel. It would be constantly spinning, with the exact radius and speed to mimic the effect of gravity.
Doesn’t anyone think about the Moon? The objective of lunar bases is that their inhabitants can be directly perched on the selenite surface. The same would happen with the Martian bases.. They would have to be on the surface. Therefore, it would not be viable to be inside a flying wheel. On the other hand, a wheel could be built to which the lunar colonizers would go from time to time. Just enough to reverse to a certain extent the harmful effects of microgravity. It would be like a kind of microgravity spa. This is something that a team of scientists from Kyoto University has already designed. They have named it The Glass.
The consequences can be very serious. When we are not subjected to gravity, body fluids can travel to the headcausing brain inflammation and vision problems. This also affects the circulatory system, as it can increase pressure in specific vessels, such as the jugular vein. Even the heartbeat would be affected.
On the other hand, by not needing to be in a rigid posture, the muscles gradually atrophy and the bones lose density. All this without counting possible neurological, balance or intestinal problems. Long stays in a microgravity situation are unfeasible, so it will be necessary to have a clear project to develop artificial gravity. If we want to live in space, we will really need it.
Image | Orbital Assembly Corporation and Kyoto University
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