(Solved) How could spacecraft dock to another spacecraft that is spinning to replicate gravity?

smokebomb13

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11 years ago

How could spacecraft dock to another spacecraft that is spinning to replicate gravity?

I imagine that landing on the spinning surface would work. When the landed craft 'stops' relative to the surface, it is then itself spinning, and would therefore also have artificial gravity on it.
Or, a craft could dock inside the stationary core of a bigger craft. Only an outer layer of the bigger craft would spin to replicate gravity. But then astronauts would need somehow to get from the stationary core to the spinning outside.
Any ideas or advice?

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nursing

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11 years ago

Yes, but not easily and only at the axis of spin.
You imagine wrong.

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Data

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11 years ago

This verified answer contains over 210 words.

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tony9506

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11 years ago

You are right.

The angular velocity of the ship could be adjusted until it matches that of the larger craft. The rocket motors could fire continuously to place the ship in a circular orbit about the larger craft. The motors can simulate the effect of gravity.

The problem is that it would use up fuel. The larger vehicle could have an extendable mass that could be used to balance the ship then the motors could be shut down.

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TonyaJ98

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11 years ago

If the spinning spacecraft is like a 'wheel' with spokes to a central hub, a visiting craft could dock at the hub (axle) where tangential velocity is least. The effect of mass grabbing the wheel would be to slow down and jar the wheel which is likely of very light construction. The hub could be relatively strong because it is smaller (and therefore less massive even if strong).

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tonya.register

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11 years ago

Watch 2001: A Space Odyssey and all your questions will be answered. Babylon 5 was good too.

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