It may be possible to have normal gravity on a spacecraft. After reading Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, I started thinking about having gravity similar to our own, even while flying through space. There are multiple ways it can be created, but one recurring issue was the effect it would have on humans and the human body. 

The first way is by using technology called an “O’Neill cylinder.” The physicist who first thought of these was named Gerard O’Neill. There are two huge cylinders rotating in opposite directions, which point them towards the sun. This is what would create gravity. One problem of getting this to work for a spaceship is that it wouldn’t work. These cylinders would be massive–they would be 20 miles long and 4 miles in diameter. Thus, this form of artificial gravity could only be used for space colonies of a few million people. 

Centrifugal force is another way to create artificial gravity. There are different ways to create a centrifugal force. For one spaceship, the best design would be to have one part of the spaceship spinning. This would only be able to happen in one room. A human in space would lose 1% of their bone mass every month. While that may not seem like much, it would have a significant effect on the astronaut for a long flight. Another concern with not having gravity is fluids in the body rising and causing vision problems. Thus, having one room with Earth’s gravity would be better because it would be able to keep the bone strength of the human and proper vision needed to pilot a spacecraft.

Lastly, the Orbital Assembly Corporation is planning to construct a “space hotel” called the Voyager. This spacecraft will orbit the Earth and constantly spin creating gravity for the 400 or so people staying in the Voyager. This gravity would only be 40% of Earth’s, but even so, it will be a big step for space travel and technology.