By the way, does anyone know why so many science fiction writers descripe spinning space habitats as being longer than they are wide? Such habitats are intrinsically unstable. But habitats that are wider than they are long are intrinsically stable
I know that the habitats are supposed to have stability controls -- just pump water around. Nonetheless, it is easier to keep an instrinsically stable system stable than to stabilize an unstable configuration.
Robert J. Chassell
I'm having trouble visualizing any of this. When you say 'longer than they are wide' do you mean like a cigarette or a can? And you are saying a habitat that is more like a wheel is more stable, right?
A can like structure would have more surface area where the gravity is, obviously one reason to use it in stories. But how are they unstable? Just asking because I don't know. Do you mean because they can tumble? If so, how much inertia would a wheel like structure need to not tumble?
For those figuring out the air pressure question, would there be differences if
a) the structure was disc like, completely open on the inside (other than support structures)
b) wheel like, with the rim having air and four (or x) spokes open all the way to the axis
c) wheel like, with only the rim having air, the spokes separate from the rim
d) a can like structure, completely open
e) a can like structure, with only the rim pressurized
If I can, I'll play with this at work.
Kevin T. - VRWC
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