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When humans go into space, a few things happen, many
loose their lunch, some seem to think it's a huge joke and
all, given enough time get so weak they can't walk. This is
a problem, because the trip to Mars, for example, is
projected to be extraordinarily long compared to historic
space missions.
Technology
is being developed toward the building of full
or partial suits that use mechanical means to increase the
output of human movement. Now, in microgravity, we
don't need a lot more mechanical force, moving around can
be done very easily. So, we use the same
electromechanical means in the opposite direction. The
carefully tuned suit will resist all movement in a manner
that resembles the loads that gravity imposes on muscles.
Using these all day every day should prevent atrophy. It
may even be possible to generate modest electrical power
from the work done.
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The problem isn't just muscle loading, apparently. I
have a friend who is a bit of a nut on the subject of
long-term health consequences of microgravity. |
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The better solution for long-term missions is to use a
counterweight and tether system, which I'm sure
we've discussed here before. Just tether some
payload (for instance, things needed only after
landing) to the crew capsule, and spin the whole
thing bolo-style to give a decent Coriolis-free
pseudogravity. Makes steering a bit of a bugger, but
would be OK for a long cruise. |
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Sort-of Coriolis free. I'll bet it's still noticeable. I don't
think the steering is that bad actually, in fact I reckon it's
pretty trivial to control with even rudimentary computer
controlled thrusters. The advantage of my system is that
you just flip the switch* from hinder to help and you're a
Mars super hero! (The low gravity will already make
humans pretty sprightly). |
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Do fish suffer microgravity problems? Also, sharks fall
asleep when they're upside down... how does that work
in space? |
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*actually, right click, properties, assistance tab, then
uncheck the box that says "invert force augmentation" to
be found next to the paper size tab |
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(and if you get the wrong box, you are either printed on A4
or saved in ISO 9660 format) |
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//fish suffer microgravity problems?// |
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Guppies explode. In microgravity, they sense that
they're sinking, and adjust the gas volume of their
swim bladders accordingly, ending with either
catastrophic failure or sushi, depending on your
perspective. |
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The soviets also took dogfish (which are sharks, more
or less) into orbit. The dogfish did not return. |
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