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"Greg D. Moore (Strider)" wrote in message hlink.net... "S. Wand" wrote in message ... So my question is what is your definition of 'space station'? I'd define a space "station" as a vessel with limited autonomy, capable of keeping a person alive for more than 2 weeks with no outside input. That requires a means of generating electricity, regulating temperature, and scrubbing the atmosphere. But requires regular resupply. More than 2 weeks? Like a space shuttle? Or almost a Gemini. I was trying to pick a time beyond the capability of fuel cells - about two weeks for Gemini and Apollo, but I guess 30 days for a shuttle-sized vehicle. Anyway, something solar, nuclear, (space tether?) powered. |
#12
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"blart" wrote in message news A space station is a space habitat - capable of supporting a significant population of humans in comfort indefinitely. Such humans should be able to go about normal human activities, in a normal human way (no pooing into a plastic bag for example) As such artificial gravity is a must, and the only way we can think to do that now is via Von Braun wheel. This sets a minimum size so that coriolis forces and tidal forces don't impinge noticibly - about 1km diameter. Other parameters are set by the current limits of technology and engineering, but are eminently doable. So - we have not had anything like a space station yet, and until the Chinese put one up, we won't be seeing one any time soon. Artificial gravity might only be a must if you plan to return to a gravity well. If you live out your days in space, the calcium/muscular loss may not mean that much. Prehensile toes are all you need... |
#13
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"S. Wand" wrote in message . .. "Greg D. Moore (Strider)" wrote in message hlink.net... "S. Wand" wrote in message ... So my question is what is your definition of 'space station'? I'd define a space "station" as a vessel with limited autonomy, capable of keeping a person alive for more than 2 weeks with no outside input. That requires a means of generating electricity, regulating temperature, and scrubbing the atmosphere. But requires regular resupply. More than 2 weeks? Like a space shuttle? Or almost a Gemini. I was trying to pick a time beyond the capability of fuel cells - about two weeks for Gemini and Apollo, but I guess 30 days for a shuttle-sized vehicle. Anyway, something solar, nuclear, (space tether?) powered. I know. I was just being nitpicky :-) |
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What do you define as a space station?
S. Wand wrote: Artificial gravity might only be a must if you plan to return to a gravity well. If you live out your days in space, the calcium/muscular loss may not mean that much. Prehensile toes are all you need... Here's a recent article from New Scientist on work at UCSF about microgravity possibly suppressing the immune system. ""There is a specific signal pathway that is not working in the absence of gravity," says Hughes-Fulford. "You're short-circuiting a whole lot of the immune response - namely, the ability to proliferate T-cells - which shouldn't be a surprise, because life evolved in Earth's gravity field." http://www.newscientist.com/article....ine-news_rss20 -- Nick |
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What do you define as a space station?
"Nicholas Waller" wrote in message oups.com... S. Wand wrote: Artificial gravity might only be a must if you plan to return to a gravity well. If you live out your days in space, the calcium/muscular loss may not mean that much. Prehensile toes are all you need... Here's a recent article from New Scientist on work at UCSF about microgravity possibly suppressing the immune system. ""There is a specific signal pathway that is not working in the absence of gravity," says Hughes-Fulford. "You're short-circuiting a whole lot of the immune response - namely, the ability to proliferate T-cells - which shouldn't be a surprise, because life evolved in Earth's gravity field." http://www.newscientist.com/article....ine-news_rss20 -- Nick Thanks for the link - I hadn't heard that before. Given the long flight times to Mars, it seems that artificial G might be a requirement. I wonder if lunar or Martian gravity would be sufficient to trigger the immune response? |
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What do you define as a space station?
S. Wand wrote: Thanks for the link - I hadn't heard that before. Given the long flight times to Mars, it seems that artificial G might be a requirement. I wonder if lunar or Martian gravity would be sufficient to trigger the immune response? If we hadn't canceled one of the few worthwhile experiments on the ISS - the centrifuge module - we might have actually been able to determine that. Pat |
#17
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What do you define as a space station?
Indeed
There are a lot of really basic questions STILL unanswered after 4 decades of space 'exploration'. IMHO you HAVE to have artificial gravity - how much remains to be seen, but this is probably the fundamental question to be answered. How to accomplish this is a matter of engineering, considerably easier than engineering 'humans' to do without gravity. I like to picture a Von Braun Wheel, about a km across, with inflatables shielded by water for living areas, and a decore somewhat similar to the insides of the Enterprise - Picards suite would be nice... Large, inflatable recreation areas for enjoying zero g, and having a look at Earth, maybe a large water filled structure for shielding and scuba diving - a 'Barrier Reef' populated with a nice selection of fish - nice to look at, nice to eat; perhaps trips to the Moon or Mars to assist with pioneering efforts - but nothing too strenuous - let the robots do the risky stuff. Fantasy - probably, but there is no technological or engineering reason not to have this Why - well why not? sounds like FUN, what better reason is there for anything Will it ever happen - jeeeez I hope so cheers ps: I think I am going to do a degree in mining engineering, it may be my best shot at getting into space! And my poor old Dad, GorBlessIm, would be spinning in his grave if he knew - he went into the coal mines at age 14... and vowed his child would never have to the same, little did he know that it may be the best chance for his offspring to space, rather than astrophysics... the irony, the irony "Pat Flannery" wrote in message ... S. Wand wrote: Thanks for the link - I hadn't heard that before. Given the long flight times to Mars, it seems that artificial G might be a requirement. I wonder if lunar or Martian gravity would be sufficient to trigger the immune response? If we hadn't canceled one of the few worthwhile experiments on the ISS - the centrifuge module - we might have actually been able to determine that. Pat |
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