NAC Chairman Expresses Interest in Flying Cancelled Centrifuge
Space to Breathe: Astrobiology Magazine Interview With Apollo Astronaut Harrison Schmitt
“AM: But the immediate adaptation to the environment, such as how gravity affects the way bones develop…
HS: Well, maybe. But again, there are ways to counter that, such as exercise. But one of the things we don’t know is how much gravity the human body needs. We haven’t done that kind of research in orbit. Hopefully we’ll figure out a way to fly the Japanese centrifuge so we can create artificial gravity and find out what the breakpoint is. Is it one-sixth Earth’s gravity? Three-eights? So it may not to be an issue on Mars. On the other hand, if it turns out to be an issue, then you look at ways of stimulating bone deposition.”