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The mystery of gravity: How to reproduce the Earth's gravity through rotation?
In the process of exploring space, scientists and science fiction writers have conceived many amazing ideas, among which the concept of a rotating wheel space station is particularly eye-catching. Initially proposed by scientist Cherkowsky in 1903 and further explored by Hermann Potockić in 1929, the idea was popularized by Werner von Braun in 1952, making it Well known. The basic principle of this design is to use rotation to generate centripetal force, thereby simulating the gravity on the surface of the earth.
Design of a rotating wheel space station
The standard design of a rotating wheel space station is a circular wheel centered on its axis. The centrifugal force generated during operation allows residents to feel gravity similar to that of the Earth. This environment allows astronauts to maintain good health and avoid the negative effects of microgravity during long-term space missions.
According to research, if the rotation rate can be precisely controlled, it would be possible to achieve a gravity environment similar to that on Earth.
History
Since the beginning of the 20th century, many scientists and science fiction writers have conducted in-depth discussions on the concept of a rotating wheel space station. The concept of using rotation to create artificial gravity was first proposed by Cherkovsky, and Potoczek further elaborated on the idea in his book Problems of Space Travel. He proposed designing a rotating wheel space station with a diameter of 30 meters, and hoped that it could be placed in geostationary orbit. By the 1950s, von Braun and Willy Ley proposed the idea of a rotating space station with a diameter of 76 meters in The Scientist Magazine, which was planned to carry 80 people.
Challenges and limitations
While the idea of a space station on spinning wheels has attracted a lot of attention, actually building such a facility presents several challenges. Firstly, technical limitations in construction and insufficient budget made this design difficult to implement. Although assembly and pressurization technology are within NASA's capabilities, current budget constraints make it difficult to implement.
NASA currently prioritizes the International Space Station (ISS) and sees its great value as a zero-gravity laboratory.
Future prospects
In the 2010s, NASA explored a centrifuge system demonstration project called Nautilus X. If officially launched, it will add a centrifugal sleeping cabin to the ISS and provide new possibilities for artificial gravity experiments. This design may allow us to enjoy a full gravity environment during long-term deep space missions, thereby reducing the health problems of astronauts in microgravity conditions.
Rotating Space Stations in Literature and Film
Rotating wheel space stations not only exist in scientific theory, but have also become an important element in many literary and film and television works. Since the 1936 novel KETs Star, many writers and filmmakers have used the concept of a rotating space station to depict future life in the universe.
For example: In 2001: A Space Odyssey, the rotating space station V is the centerpiece of the story and successfully demonstrates the concept of artificial gravity.
In science fiction works such as "Star Wars" and "Battlestar Galactica", we can see the influence of this concept everywhere. These works not only presented the image of a rotating space station, but also inspired many young scientists to explore the possibility of building such a facility in reality.
ConclusionIn short, the rotating wheel space station is a design concept full of potential, which will pave the way for our future space exploration. In the face of numerous challenges, can humans catch up and truly realize this long-cherished dream?
