NASA's 20-G Centrifuge Machine

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."

Comments

That thing spins fast!

[jZnat]

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

Destination: Gitmo

[Quantam]

Amazing 2 in 1 machine assists in space research while extracting information from uncooperative terrorists! A bargain for your tax dollars!

Re:Destination: Gitmo

[stjobe]

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.

Re:Destination: Gitmo

[YrWrstNtmr]

Why to you english-speaking people write Gitmo instead of Guantánamo?

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

Very interestng proposal...

[kitsunewarlock]

I've personally wanted to play around with a "high gravity" machine for a long time. Training in one would be the ultimate experience for any athlete I'm sure. I just wonder if the intense G's would actually strengthen your organs and bones by stress-testing them, so to speak, or just weaken them. Probably the latter.

Re:Very interestng proposal...

[electrosoccertux]

Certain techniques can strengthen bones. What you speak of, stress-testing them, is a common way of building bone mass among martial artists. Actually they don't have to work at it, it just happens. Bones are an interconnected calcium (among other things) mesh. In between these connections, there are lots of miniature bubbles and air pockets. When the fighter repeatedly hits an object with enough force, the pressure in the bones breaks the weakest parts of the mesh. Later these get built back. But this time they are much stronger, and can withstand more force.

Since the centrifugal machine is sustained force and not an impulse, I doubt would inherently make your bones stonger. As far as making organs tougher, there are other ways to do that. Having a friend drop a medicine ball on your stomach while you tense it is a great way to toughen your abdomen.

Re:Very interestng proposal...

[NitsujTPU]

Dude. They could learn to become Super-Saiyans!!

exercise

[omeomi]

help the rapidly growing senior population who, like astronauts, doesn't exercise much

This seems like a really expensive way to prove that both groups just need to exercise more...

Re:exercise

[Basehart]

"I don't get it, they're going to help senior citizens exercise by putting them inside a machine with 20G gravity?"

Not all of them at once. Sheesh!

Re:exercise

[st1d]

>>Not all of them at once. Sheesh!

Of course not. You put them in a few at a time, then spin them at 20g for a bit.

Then you can fit more in. :)

Margaritas

[achesloc]

I just want to know if it can mix a good margarita. My machine broke.

Re:Gravity of which planet?

[CRCulver]

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.

Re:Gravity of which planet?

[mlyle]

terrestrial P Pronunciation Key (t-rstr-l)
adj.
Of or relating to the earth or its inhabitants.

Re:Effects of hypergravity?

[Clockwurk]

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

Ummmm Astronaughts are in Fantastic shape.

[feyhunde]

I've got a chance to meet a few when I was working on a college project a few years back that had Nasa ties.
Don Pettit, former ISS Science Officer, was up for around 6 months. You'd think he'd be like that Russian who was too weak to walk and had a critical loss of bone density.

Nope. He got up, and with in a week was running 10 miles or more a day. He lost essentially no bone density. Freaking fantastic shape he's in. All the astronaut core is like that. It's all about constant exercise and having impact exercise.

Awesome!

[starwed]

Now I can finally become a Super-Saiyan!

Slashdot has really gone downhill

[SmallFurryCreature]

a 20-G centrifuge machine that can simulate up to 20 times the terrestrial gravity

Geez, no shit sherlock. I wonder how much G earth gravity is?

I can understand if this bit of info has to be included in say a BBC report but this is supposed to be a place filled with geeks and nerds who could work out for themselves that 20G is 20 times the G force of earths gravity. Even the americans should be able to handle the math involved. The canadians might need help. The dutch? It is sunday morning. To stoned to care. Not that it being sunday morning has anything to do with that.

Re:Slashdot has really gone downhill

[MadUndergrad]

If you really want to complain, point out that 'G' is the universal gravitational constant, while 'g' (note: lowercase) is the acceleration of gravity at Earth's surface. Gotta remember to keep those units straight.

Obligatory Futurama

[zblack_eagle]

Zoidberg: Relax, Fry. I'll simply spin you in a high-speed centrifuge, separating out the denser fluid of His Highness.

Fry: But won't that crush my bones?

Zoidberg: Oh, right, right, with the bones! I always forget about the bones.

Just like the Moonraker Centrifuge

[acid_andy]

Bond: How fast does it go?
Goodhead: It can go up to 20Gs, but that would be fatal. 3Gs is equivalent to take-off pressure. Most people pass out at 7.
Bond: You make a great saleswoman.
Goodhead: You don't have to worry. This is what we call a chicken switch. You just keep your finger on that button and the moment the pressure gets too much for you, release the button and the power's cut off.
Bond: Just like that?!
Goodhead: Oh come on Mr Bond, a 70 year old can take 3Gs!
Bond: Well the trouble is there's never a 70 year old around when you need one...

Re:Gravity of which planet?

[Meumeu]

That article should read "20 times the terrestrial gravity OF EARTH".

Right. We don't want to confuse it with the venusian gravity of Mars...

CT Scanners

[vectra14]

We were recently discussing CT scanners in a class... those things spin pretty damn fast, with all of the electronics experiencing something like 20G's... for hours and hours and hours. And the gantry is these days pretty damn heavy and insanely complex (i wonder how they get the data from the spinning sensors? surely not a million sliprings?) I suppose still maybe MRI is more impressive with its multi-tesla QUICKLY changing magnetic fields.

Re:Effects of hypergravity?

[st1d]

Well, not to nitpick, but the fastest way to get to alpha centauri (not counting a few out-there theoretical means of travel) would be to accelerate the whole way, and slam into the star... :)