--- title: "This Room-Sized Device Could Create Artificial Gravity in Space" description: "You’ve probably seen one featured in a science fiction movie, including “2001: A Space Odyssey” — massive centrifuge-like space stations that spin fast enough around a center point to create artificial gravity for astronauts on board. While we have yet to figure out a way to build such a massive construct in […]" date: "2019-07-03" modified: "2019-07-03" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/device-artificial-gravity-space" categories: - "Space" tags: - "artificial gravity" - "gravity" - "Microgravity" - "the digest" --- # This Room-Sized Device Could Create Artificial Gravity in Space ![Researchers built a device small room-sized device that spins willing participants on a giant platform to mimic the effect of Earth-like gravity in space.]() *\Image: MGM/Victor Tangermann\* ## Weight Gain You've probably seen one featured in a science fiction movie, including "2001: A Space Odyssey" — massive centrifuge-like space stations that spin around a center point to create the sensation of artificial gravity for off-world travelers. While we have yet to build such a large system in open space, researchers from University of Colorado at Boulder have decided to miniaturize the effect instead, with a device small enough to fit inside a room that spins participants to mimic the effect of Earth-like gravity. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0AworhlfHU ## Spin Zone Creating the illusion of gravity could be of great benefit to astronauts struggling with the not-yet-fully-understood [effects of microgravity]() for months at a time. "The point of our work is to try to get more people to think that maybe artificial gravity isn't so crazy," Kathrine Bretl, a graduate student involved in the project said according to [a statement](). "Maybe it has a place outside of science fiction." ## Vomit Comet Unfortunately, motion sickness is still as much of a thing here on Earth as it is in space — one of the reasons why scientists have shied away from the idea in the past. The team decided to put that to the test and invite volunteers to spin on their centrifuge for 10 vomit-inducing sessions. The results were promising: at 17 revolutions per minute, the effect became tolerable over time. "As far as we can tell, essentially anyone can adapt to this stimulus," aerospace engineer Torin Clark, who led the team said. **READ MORE:** [Artificial gravity breaks free from science fiction]() \[University of Colorado at Boulder\] **More on the effects of microgravity:** *[Zero Gravity Causes Worrisome Changes In Astronauts' Brains]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()