An artificial gravity research facility for life sciencesTo obtain data for the design of a Mars mission vehicle configured for artificial gravity, NASA is currently studying the design of a variable-gravity research facility (VGRF) in a low earth orbit. The VGRF could be flown as a coorbiting payload requiring periodic servicing, resupply, and contingency intervention from the Space Station. The reasons why artificial gravity is needed for long-term missions are discussed; preliminary designs of a Mars vehicle with artificial gravity (at a weight cost of about 20 percent) are described; and particular attention is given to the VGRF design and mission profile.
Document ID
19890040460
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Lemke, Larry G. (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)