Russia’s state-owned Energia rocket company has patented a design for a space station that uses rotation to simulate gravity, potentially revolutionizing long-duration space travel. The system aims to provide 0.5g – half of Earth’s gravitational pull – by spinning habitable modules around a central axis.
How It Works
The patent details a station with both static and rotating sections connected by flexible, airtight junctions. The key is centrifugal force: by rotating modules at approximately five revolutions per minute with a radius of 40 meters (131 feet), the station would generate the desired artificial gravity.
This approach directly addresses the severe health risks of prolonged exposure to microgravity, including muscle weakening and bone loss that astronauts face on long missions. The design also acknowledges a major drawback: coordinating the rotation with docking spacecraft to ensure safe arrivals.
Why This Matters Now
The patent’s emergence is significant as the International Space Station (ISS) nears the end of its lifespan. This signals renewed interest in advanced space station concepts from Russia, coinciding with national and commercial efforts to develop the next generation of orbital platforms.
NASA has previously explored similar designs (like the Nautilus-X rotating wheel station), and now commercial firms such as Vast are also pursuing artificial gravity stations. However, Russia has not announced concrete timelines or funding for this project, leaving its development uncertain.
The pursuit of artificial gravity is more than just a technological challenge. It’s a critical step toward enabling sustained human presence in deep space, where long-duration missions will require solutions to mitigate the debilitating effects of weightlessness. The patent underscores that Russia remains an active player in this race for the future of space exploration.
