Spacex has finally discovered a solution to avert the effects of heavy microgravity on
astronauts.
Unless you are traveling to space yourself, you cannot fully describe the bad experience
astronauts have been facing during space travel after crossing the earth's atmosphere.
Of course, it’s a ridiculous experience, with the effect of microgravity, astronauts’
muscles are prone to atrophy, and that compels the bones in the spine to stiffen and straighten
out.
Such physiological changes, help to explain why so many astronauts experience back pain
after missions to low-Earth orbit.
So spacex thought about a special starship as the only solution to stop this microgravity
effects against the human body.
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Before we go ahead and discuss what Elon Musk said about creating a special starship, that
will use artificial gravity to correct the effects of microgravity experienced by astronauts,
let me first educate you about how artificial starship works, and how it can be generated
using principles of physics.
The creation of an inertial force almost behaves like the effects of a gravitational force,
but it is generated by using technology to create artificial gravity that will be emitted
to counter microgravity in space.
The artificial gravity is typically generated when a frame rotates at a reference point,
as opposed to the force experienced in linear acceleration, which is indistinguishable from
gravity according to the equivalence principle.
In a broader sense, "artificial gravity" can also refer to the effect of linear acceleration,
like the type produced by a rocket engine.
From the perspective rotating or centrifugal spacecraft, artificial gravity by rotation
behaves similarly to normal gravity in some ways, but with some initiatives like:
The apparent centrifugal force felt by observers pushes radially outward from the center, and
assume a constant rotation rate, the centrifugal force is directly proportional to the distance
from the habitat's center.
The amount of gravity felt at one's head would be different from the amount felt at one's
feet with a small radius of rotation.
This may make movement and changing body position difficult.
Slower rotations or larger rotational radii, according to the physics, would reduce or
eliminate this problem.
Similarly, the habitat's linear velocity should be significantly greater than the relative
velocities with which an astronaut will change position.
Otherwise, moving in the rotational direction increases the felt gravity (while moving in
the opposite direction decreases it) to the point where it should cause problems.
The normal force provided by the spacecraft's hull acts as centripetal force in the context
of a rotating space station.
Thus, the "gravity" force felt by an object is the centrifugal force perceived as pointing
"downwards" towards the hull in the rotating frame of reference.
The value of little g (the perceived "downward" acceleration) is equal in magnitude, and opposite
in direction to the centripetal acceleration, according to Newton's Third Law.
Scientists are concerned about the impact of such a system because it has been demonstrated
theoretically that the system may cause ear problems to those aboard the spacecraft.
The concern is that using centripetal force to generate artificial gravity will cause
inner ear disturbances, resulting in nausea and disorientation.
The negative consequences may be intolerable for the occupants.
To mimic artificial gravity on Earth, spacecraft using linear acceleration gravity could be
built in the shape of a skyscraper, with the engines at the bottom "floor."
If the spacecraft accelerates at the rate of 1g of the earth's gravitational pull, the
people inside would be pressed into the hull at the same force, allowing them to walk and
behave as if they were on Earth, without experiencing any causes that could harm the human organ.
True, SpaceX has not considered incorporating artificial gravity into the design of the
starship, but when a Twitter user tagged Elon Musk and asked if SpaceX has ever considered
tethering a two-crew starship to create artificial gravity route to Mars?
Elon Musk said Yes,.
Consider the fact that astronauts will have to spend more than 6 months traveling to space,
not to also mention that people are already wishing to travel to Mars when SpaceX gets
everything right and ready.
How will these people survive in the starship with the effect of microgravity, which may
cause back pain, blurred vision, muscle contractions, and other symptoms?
So, how do SpaceX and Elon Musk believe these people can experience the microgravity effect
without collapsing, dying or contact a severe health deficiency in any of the body organs?
And, even if people successfully land from a harrowing Mars trip, will they still want
to return to Mars as a second planet after enduring a painful journey on their previous
visit?
If Elon Musk does not accept to apply the principle of artificial gravity to the starship
in order to ensure human comfort and safety, how will SpaceX's Starship protect humans
from space radiation, and the side effects of zero G during the journey to Mars?
In my opinion, I will answer these questions as regards to what NASA has been doing to
shed their astronauts in ISS, and maybe spacex could implement it into the starship.
But for this method to work for up to 100 occupants in spacex starship while journeying
to Mars, is what I think is will not work, but trust Elon Musk to surprise us with his
creativity in technology.
Radiation is energy in the form of electromagnetic waves or particles.
When a wave or particle collides with another object, such astronauts or spacecraft components,
the energy is transferred.
These waves and particles are dangerous because they pass right through the skin, shedding
energy and fragmenting cells or DNA along the way.
This damage can raise the risk of developing cancer later in life or, in extreme cases,
cause acute radiation sickness in the short term.
Humans are safe from this danger on Earth.
The magnetosphere, Earth's protective magnetic bubble, deflects the majority of solar particles.
Any particles that do make it through are also suppressed by the atmosphere.
The International Space Station travels in low-Earth orbit, safe from the elements, and
the station's hull protects crew members from radiation.
Scientists in the ISS consult the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space
Weather Prediction Center, for a space weather forecast.
They notify mission control of possible solar activity.
If solar energetic particles are increasing and the space station happens to be passing
outside of Earth's magnetic protection, they may advise postponing activities that require
leaving the station's safety.
The group will keep an eye on the astronauts' space environment no matter where they go.
The greater the distance between the crew and the radiation, the more likely it is that
dangerous particles will deposit their energy before reaching the crew.
Spacex can also reduce radiation exposure by storing food and water supplies around
the starship’s body, and having people live in the center, using the supplies as shield.
They can also orient the ship with the engines and tanks facing the Sun to provide additional
shielding.
However, even without shielding, the cancer risk is "only" that of smoking a pack of cigarettes
per day.
Six months of smoking is not usually enough to kill you.
In terms of zero-G, we know that people can survive it, but not as severely as after 6
or more months in an enclosed vessel.
The spaceship can offer some protection through radiation shielding and will most likely have
a specially shielded area in the event of a radiation storm.
The radiation problem has nothing to do with zero gravity.
They would use data collected on the ISS and implement a daily exercise regimen to study
the effects of zero g, or even live in an underground tunnel on Mars to avoid radiation.
Robots must plan out the tunnel space ahead of time.
Since SpaceX intends to transport 100 people on the starship at the same time, how will
these hundreds of people cope with the microgravitational effect while taking a bath, eating, or even
strolling around?
I can't really think of a good answer to this one, but trust Elon Musk: when it comes to
technology, he will do what will amaze us.
The more pressing question is, "Who pays all these projects?"
Many problems can be solved with a few billion dollars, but where will the billion dollars
come from?
Can Elon Musk and SpaceX fund this project?
Even if they can, let us all join hands and pray that SpaceX does not go bankrupt.
Long-term exposure to COSMIC radiation outside the protection of the Earth's magnetic field
poses some risk.
But hell no, it will not transform you into a member of the Fantastic Four.
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