Carnival Of The Space Geeks (Extra Helpings)

Editor's note: The fourth Carnival of the Space Geeks is up, and this time there were a lot more interesting posts from a lot more interesting minds.

Interesting highlights include Brian Dunbar's brief analysis of solar powered satellites, Amanda Bauer creepy post about robot beetles, and Deborah Byrd commenting on scientists searching for life in Spock's region of space.

But the best post (in my opinion) goes to James of Surfin' English who discusses one of the largest hurdles towards becoming a space faring citizen: micro-gravity.

Our bones get brittle, blood moves up in the body because gravity stops pulling it downwards, and our hearts suffer because they don't have to work as hard in space to move blood. When we get home, our bodies are wrecks.

We also suffer from spacesickness ( like seasickness but worse), dizziness, and overly active farting. Seriously, going into space may look like fun, but it's like drunkenly stumbling onto the last train after running a double marathon and discovering that every passenger on the train has been eating beans for two weeks. Not pretty.

James notes a possible solution to this dilemma is artificial gravity, which would help curb most (if not all) of these nasty effects of living amongst the heavens.

Although it is doubtful that a space ship could simulate gravity (as no one knows yet how to create gravitons), Orbital space stations and space elevator stations could enable our species to actually not only function in space, but on low gravity worlds.

Note: Those interested in joining next week's Carnival of the Space Geeks can visit this page for details on how to enter.



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