KING%KESTREL@sri-unix.UUCP (12/22/83)
From: Richard M. King <KING@KESTREL> I've spent my whole life in a slowly rotating environment and it doesn't seem to have done me too much harm so far. The only question is how MUCH rotation we can stand. If 2RPM is too fast we get a longer tether (but NOT a stronger one) and try 1RPM. A 3.7 KM tether will give you 1G at 1RPM, with cable length inversely proportional to the square of the rotation speed. This cable hardly seems too long, in that missions are now on the drawing boards with cables tens of KM long. This 1G/1rpm system requires a delta-V of 100 MPS, but it can be done by something like an ion rocket since low gravity won't hurt people quickly. One problem for LEO is variations in the strength of the pseudogravity due to two factors; the direct effects of the tidal force, and the indirect effect that the tidal force makes this bolo spin fastest exactly when the tides reinforce the pseudogravity. This effect is exacerbated by slow rotation rates. I will give further calculations on this later. -------
usenet@abnjh.UUCP (usenet) (12/27/83)
Regarding the effects of tides on spin-induced simulated gravity -- Slowly varying gravity doesn't bother most people for more than a day or so. The effects of the most common form are called 'sea-sickness' and usually pass away after a period of acclimatization. Rick Thomas ihnp4!abnji!rbt