A symposium focusing on microgravity simulation and artificial gravity technology is to be held by the European Space Agency at its European Space Research and Technology Centre in the Netherlands in December. "Lessons learned, future needs and current developments [in artificial gravity] will be discussed," says ESA's technical directorate.
NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, is developing an artificial gravity system that spins individuals weighing up to 90kg (200lb) to a maximum speed of 40rpm, creating around 2.5g at their feet.
The ESA event will cover artificial gravity, levitation, microgravity simulation, 1g reference centrifuges on board spacecraft, ground facilities for gravity-related research in life sciences and physics, and long-term spaceflight countermeasures using artificial gravity.
Source: Flight International