Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

NASA's 20-G Centrifuge Machine

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the like-to-see-that-in-an-arcade dept.

Roland Piquepaille writes "Scientists from NASA and two U.S. universities are using a 20-G centrifuge machine that can simulate up to 20 times the terrestrial gravity to evaluate the effects of hypergravity on humans. This 58-foot diameter centrifuge has three cabins, one for humans -- limited to 12.5 G -- and two for objects and flying hardware. The goal of these experiments is to reduce the adverse effects that space travel can have on astronauts' physical heath. But by studying the health benefits of exercise on astronauts, the researchers also hope to help the rapidly growing senior population who, like astronauts, doesn't exercise much. Read more for additional details and pictures about this NASA's machine."

5 of 154 comments (clear)

  1. That thing spins fast! by jZnat · · Score: 4, Informative

    58.88 m/s, or 131.72 mph, or 211.98 km/hr.

    --
    'Yes, firefox is indeed greater than women. Can women block pops up for you? No. Can Firefox show you naked women? Yes.'
  2. Re:Gravity of which planet? by CRCulver · · Score: 2, Informative

    The word "terrestrial" comes from the Latin word terra "Earth" (in turn from PIE *ters- "dry [ground]", see Sihler's New Comparative Grammar ). While arguing from etymology is not always valid, I daresay that in this case if one simply says "terrestrial gravity", it's logical to assume to refers to the Earth's gravity, and not that of the moon or other planets, which have their own appropriate adjectives.

  3. Re:Effects of hypergravity? by Clockwurk · · Score: 2, Informative

    I think the pressures they are referring to would be experienced during launch, not during spaceflight.

  4. Re:Destination: Gitmo by stjobe · · Score: 2, Informative
    It dosn't leave any bruises or marks either

    John Paul Stapp disagrees (emphasis mine):

    When the Sonic Wind had hit the water brake, it had produced 46.2 Gs of force. And for an astonishing 1.1 seconds, Stapp'd endured 25 Gs. It was the equivalent of a Mach 1.6 ejection at 40,000 feet, a jolt in excess of that experienced by a driver who crashes into a red brick wall at over 120 miles per hour. Only it had lasted perhaps nine times longer. And it had burst nearly every capillary in Stapp's eyeballs.
    --
    "Total destruction the only solution" - Bob Marley
  5. Re:Destination: Gitmo by YrWrstNtmr · · Score: 2, Informative
    Why to you english-speaking people write Gitmo instead of Guantánamo?

    That's what the Marines stationed there nicknamed it, long ago.