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Papers & Publications : Habitat : Orbital : Architecture

Artificial Gravity and the Architecture of Orbital Habitats

Published:	20 March 1997
Author:	T Hall
Origin:	Proceedings of 1st International Symposium on Space Tourism, Daimler-Chrysler Aerospace GmbH

Abstract:	This paper examines the rationale, requirements, limitations and implications of artificial gravity in the design of orbital habitats. Long-term exposure to weightlessness leads to a chain-reaction of undesirable physiological adaptations. There is both theoretical and experimental evidence that artificial gravity can substitute for natural gravity to maintain health in orbit. Aerospace medical scientists have conducted many studies during the past forty years to determine the comfort boundaries for artificial gravity. They express comfort in terms of centripetal acceleration, head-to-foot gravity gradient, angular velocity, tangential velocity, cross-coupled head rotations and the Coriolis effects of relative motion in rotating environments. A review of the literature reveals the uncertainty in these boundaries and suggests that "comfort" in artificial gravity depends as well on other aspects of environmental design, beyond the basic rotational parameters. Artificial gravity is distinct from both Earth-normal gravity and weightlessness. The goal of architectural design for artificial gravity is not to mimic Earth but rather to help the inhabitants adapt to the realities of their rotating environment.
References:	Pioneering Space: Living on the Next Frontier Soviet Space Medical Data Grow, Other Nations Joining In Physicians Called Upon to Help Chart Future Space Effort Living Aloft: Human Requirements for Extended Spaceflight The Body Pays a Penalty for Defying the Law of Gravity The Medical Aspects of a Flight to Mars Muscles In Space Forfeit More Than Fibers Aging and Space Travel Occupational Biomechanics The Surly Bonds of Earth Countermeasures for the Effects of Prolonged Weightlessness Prevention of Bone Loss and Muscle Atrophy During Manned Space Flight Bone Loss and the Three Bears The Bear Necessities of Space Travel 326 Days In Space Reconsidering Artificial Gravity for Twenty-First Century Space Habitats Surgery in Space: Surgical Principles in a Neutral Buoyancy Environment Spacelab Stresses Life Sciences Study Physicians Trade White Coats for Space Suits Design Guide: The Influence of Zero-G and Acceleration on the Human Factors of Spacecraft Design The World's Highest Rollercoaster: We Road Test NASA's Zero-Gravity Learjet Record Soviet Manned Space Flight Raises Human Endurance Questions Gravity Problems in Manned Space Stations To Spin or Not To Spin Rotating Manned Space Stations Manned Space Stations - Gateway to our Future in Space Critical Engineering Problems of Space Stations An Overview of Artificial Gravity Physiological Considerations of Artificial Gravity Some Physiological Effects of Alternation Between Zero Gravity and One Gravity A Manned Mars Artificial Gravity Vehicle Earth Orbital Preparations for Mars Expeditions Space Settlements: A Design Study Aviation Week and Space Technology
Referred to by:	Human factors and Health in Space Tourism Space Hotels - Civil Engineering's New Frontier

Related Entries:	NASA Wernher von Braun
Keywords:	Habitat:Orbital:Architecture

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