The point of Micro-gravity

[ryan]

Hey guys, I heard that the International Space Station has Micro-gravity becuase it's rolling. I was thinking what's the point of it, does it effect the astronauts or cosomoauts in anyway? Or is it souly for science expriements and medical expirements. Did Mir or Skylab have micro-gravity.

 

[pete.dakota]

Hey guys, I heard that the International Space Station has Micro-gravity becuase it's rolling. I was thinking what's the point of it, does it effect the astronauts or cosomoauts in anyway? Or is it souly for science expriements and medical expirements. Did Mir or Skylab have micro-gravity.

Micro-gravity, is, realistically, a dream, for now. As long as there is the Moon, the Sun, the Earth and Juptier, pure 'Zero-gravity' will NEVER exist. The difference is in working out whether or not the current measurable G forces in LEO are negligible, which, for the sake of experiment, they are.

 

[DaveS]

ISS isn't rolling. It's perfectly stable in it's attitude. Microgravity is always present in orbit. How else would you explain the astronauts/cosmonauts floating?

And yes, it affects all space-flyers. Ever heard of Space Adaption Sickness? It is estimated that it affects 52% of all astronauts/cosmonauts. And it's also the reason why all returning Expedition crew members are so weak when they return to Earth.

Just for reference. Columbia's last mission, STS-107 was a microgravity science research flight. It is shown by the "ug" symbol in the center of the patch, where "u" is really the greek symbol for micro and g is for gravity.

 

[ryan]

Micro-gravity, is, realistically, a dream, for now. As long as there is the Moon, the Sun, the Earth and Juptier, pure 'Zero-gravity' will NEVER exist. The difference is in working out whether or not the current measurable G forces in LEO are negligible, which, for the sake of experiment, they are.

But isnt the ISS in high earth orbit or middle earth orbit or something.

 

[DaveS]

But isnt the ISS in high earth orbit or middle earth orbit or something.

No. ISS is in LEO and always has been in LEO. Microgravity is a fact no matter where you travel in space! Only when you have landed on a celestial object of sufficient size, G levels increase.

As long as you remain in transit so to speak, you will experience microgravity.

 

[ryan]

No. ISS is in LEO and always has been in LEO. Microgravity is a fact!

I know it's a fact Dave i just wanted to know why its there, but thanks for that.

 

[n0mad23]

If you look at the top of your screen anywhere in Orbit or in transit, you'll see the gravitational force. Dock at the ISS and see for yourself.

It's a nice feature.

 

[mikey451]

Microgravity is a correction for the term "zero gee" or zero gravity. The reason for the term is that a balance of accelerations only exists at one radius in the orbital plane. In a spacecraft, away from that radius (typically, the center of gravity radius), apparent gravity is not zero. For example, say you're in a circular orbit at 360 km (6731010 m), at the circular satellite speed of 7695.36 m/s. V*V/R at that radius, 8.797865 m/s^2, equals G/R^2, also 8.797865. But, say you're in a large cabin, 10 meters out from the orbital radius, at 6731020 m. At that point, V*V/R is 8.797852, and G/R^2 is 8.797839, a net acceleration of .000013 m/s^2, or 1.33 micro gees outward. An object initially placed at that point would move about 2.3 meters outward in 10 minutes (0.5*.000013*600*600). This is why it's called microgravity. In deep space, with no large gravitational attractions nearby, apparent gravity is essentially zero.

 

[ryan]

Microgravity is a correction for the term "zero gee" or zero gravity. The reason for the term is that a balance of accelerations only exists at one radius in the orbital plane. In a spacecraft, away from that radius (typically, the center of gravity radius), apparent gravity is not zero. For example, say you're in a circular orbit at 360 km (6731010 m), at the circular satellite speed of 7695.36 m/s. V*V/R at that radius, 8.797865 m/s^2, equals G/R^2, also 8.797865. But, say you're in a large cabin, 10 meters out from the orbital radius, at 6731020 m. At that point, V*V/R is 8.797852, and G/R^2 is 8.797839, a net acceleration of .000013 m/s^2, or 1.33 micro gees outward. An object initially placed at that point would move about 2.3 meters outward in 10 minutes (0.5*.000013*600*600). This is why it's called microgravity. In deep space, with no large gravitational attractions nearby, apparent gravity is essentially zero.

How do you guys know so much, im just a jet jockey who blows brains out.

 

[mikey451]

Am also a jet jockey, who fortunately, has never had to....

But have had some incredibly good times in Australia...

 

[ryan]

Am also a jet jockey, who fortunately, has never had to....

But have had some incredibly good times in Australia...

If you ment by the small scielence blowing brains out i ment by the noise of the jet, not by shooting or something.

 

[mikey451]

Fighter pilots here use helmets to mitigate that . Which also explains my (and every other ex squadron mate I've met) lack of hair on top.

 

[ryan]

Fighter pilots here use helmets to mitigate that . Which also explains my (and every other ex squadron mate I've met) lack of hair on top.

So maybe thats why you see all the astronauts have some sort of bald spots, especially Pete Conrad.

 

[mikey451]

I've flown with Pete, and knew him well. A very, very needless death...

 

[ryan]

I've flown with Pete, and knew him well. A very, very needless death...

Lol your kidding me right, if you flew with Pete you would be like 60 to 70.

 

[mikey451]

56 on Monday, and am not kidding.

 

[ryan]

56 on Monday, and am not kidding.

Ok, why did you fly with him, were you in his squadron in the Navy.

 

[mikey451]

Have been a test pilot for the Navy, and for McDonnell Douglas. He used to stay current with us in MD-80's. At the time, I was flying MD-80's and T-45's for McDonnell Douglas, and F-14's for the Navy.