OPTIMIZATION OF MANNED ORBITAL SATELLITE VEHICLE DESIGN WITH RESPECT TO ARTIFICIAL GRAVITY
Abstract
A design envelope is established from a humanfactors analysis of the artificial gravity environment peculiar to rotating space vehicles. The envelope is prescribed by: an upper limit on vehicle angular velocity of 0.4 radians/sec to minimize the occurrance of canal sickness; a basic upper limi on artificia gravity of one g' and a basic lower limit on artificial gravity of 0.2 g as the lowest value of g at which man can walk unaided. Both g-limits are modified to compensate for Coriolis fores which cause variation in g-level for tangential walking inside the rotating vehicle. An upper limit on vehicle radius of 180 ft is established on the basis on engineering practicality. The optimum vehicle configuration is established as a Modified Axialy-Expanded Dumbbell, characterized by a single, cylindrical living-working compartment oriented parallel to the spin axis, counterbalanced by other vehicle components. The configuration is illustrated in the conceptual Pseudo-Geogravitational Vehicle, which has a radius of 180 ft and an operational angular velocity of 0. 4 rad/sec to produce 0.9 g in the living-working compartent.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1961
- Accession Number
- AD0268249
Entities
People
- Benjamin J. Loret
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology