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Posted on 07/19/2016 12:31:23 PM PDT by BenLurkin
While astronauts on the ISS have enough space for the work-out equipment they need to help reduce these effects (i.e. muscle degeneration and loss of bone density), long-range missions are another matter. Luckily, NASA has plans for how astronauts can stay healthy during their upcoming Journey to Mars. It's known as the Resistive Overload Combined with Kinetic Yo-Yo (ROCKY) device, which will be used aboard the Orion spacecraft.
For years, engineers at NASA and in the private sector have been working to create the components that will take astronauts to the Red Planet in the 2030s. These include the Space Launch System (SLS) and the Orion Multi Purpose Crew Capsule. At the same time, scientists and engineers at the Ohio-based Zin Technologies company – with the support of the NASA Human Research Program's Exploration Exercise Equipment project – were busy developing the equipment needed to keep the Martian crews healthy and fit in space.
One of the biggest challenges was making a device that is robust enough to provide a solid work-out, but still be compact and light-weight enough to fit inside the space capsule. What they came up with was ROCKY, a rowing machine-like tool that can accommodate both aerobic activity and strength training. Using loads that simulate up to 180 kg (400 pounds) of resistance, astronauts will be ale to perform excises like squats, deadlifts and heel raises, as well as upper body exercises like bicep curls and upright rows.
(Excerpt) Read more at phys.org ...
when re they going to make a “wheel” shaped spacecraft so they can artifically create at least SOME gravity
Likely right after someone invents a frictionless material for the huge bearings that will be needed at the hub of such a "wheel".
If you ask me, there should going into deep space without one. Traveling that far away, they should be bringing their own full size space station along to live in.
But there are better and brighter people than myself in charge of these things.
There’s always magnetic bearings if that is your concern. I think it more likely engineering issues of being able to maneuver something which is a giant gyroscope and doesn’t want to turn.
why make the hub stationary?
let the whole thing rotate
Would counter rotating wheels work?
I think that’s how some designs of helicopters fly without a tail rotor?
I have often wondered the same thing. In fact, Hollyweird has depicted this in several movies. Considering all that has to be done is to build a Tube and spin it rapidly, it seems simple. The craft would need to be assembled in space and that might be challenging.
I expect the problems are: for some components like navigation, experiments and communications, there needs to be a stable platform (not rotating).There may be a need to have a component of the craft that is not rotating. Anything attached will create friction and thereby rob energy and create wear on components. It's a failure point that is difficult to test. Also, maintaining the balance in a gyroscopic vessel would be critical for the craft to maintain a constant trajectory without regular correction (more energy consumption).
Are you assuming the need for non rotatating center core? What need is there for that? Given a slow rim speed, a fixed central core would barely register as moving, no?
How about some bungee cords and a couple of eyebolts welded to the interior of the craft? It may not be Gold’s Gym, but the resistance should keep you from turning into a gersh on the trip. You can work arms, legs, back, even abs to some degree. Add more (or stiffer) cords to increase the resistance.
You can even call them Space Bungees and charge NASA $100,000 apiece for them.
Has to have a cutesy name before NASA will buy it.
Some cutesy anagram, like the Deepspace Unified Preventive Exercise Module or “DUPEM”
Question: Does the gyroscopic effect work in space?
It has to be a fairly large diameter to be practical.
Bungee-Oriented Group Uniform Stressor (BOGUS).
What about a Bowflex?
Yes. It is an effect of momentum, not gravity.
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