Summary presentation to the Artificial Gravity Panel

Abstract

General requirements for artificial gravity under a wide range of circumstances are considered. Appropriate or feasible ways of filling these requirements are explored with the focus on using tethers. The orbiter itself does not appear to be a good platform for tether research and development. Therefore, tethers that would be attached to space stations are emphasized. However, orbiter demonstrations and external tank demonstrations might be useful in exploring and developing tether operations prior to the space station. The general recommendations include requirements of artificial gravity in medicine and physiology, technology, microgravity sciences, habitability, operations in space, and what artificial gravity would mean to operations in space.