Microgravity Microgravity and Working and Working

in Spacein Space

What is What is gravity?gravity?

What is What is weightlessness?weightlessness?

So…..then what is Microgravity?

Definitions:Definitions: Gravity is a force of attraction that exists Gravity is a force of attraction that exists

between any two masses, any two bodies, between any two masses, any two bodies, or any two particles. It is the attraction that or any two particles. It is the attraction that exits between all objects.exits between all objects.

Weightlessness is a misconception, it does Weightlessness is a misconception, it does not exist, and it is a term used to describe not exist, and it is a term used to describe what is referred to, or appears to be what is referred to, or appears to be “floating.”“floating.”

Micro-gravity is the attraction that one Micro-gravity is the attraction that one object has on another but to a lesser object has on another but to a lesser degree. Sometimes, this force is so small degree. Sometimes, this force is so small in one object that it appears to be canceled in one object that it appears to be canceled out by the force of the other object.out by the force of the other object.

As presented by Sir Isaac Newton and modified by others, As presented by Sir Isaac Newton and modified by others, the “Law of Gravity” states that any two objects have the “Law of Gravity” states that any two objects have attraction towards each other; the object that has the greater attraction towards each other; the object that has the greater mass has the strongest attraction.mass has the strongest attraction.

Since you know what gravity and microgravity are, how would you explain the difference between the weight of an object and the mass of an object?

The mass of an object remains constant and never changes no matter where The mass of an object remains constant and never changes no matter where its location. This means that the amount of particles it contains remains its location. This means that the amount of particles it contains remains unchanged no matter where it is found.unchanged no matter where it is found.

The weight of an object is a variable depending on the amount of gravitational The weight of an object is a variable depending on the amount of gravitational force placed upon it. Therefore, an object on the moon weighs less than an force placed upon it. Therefore, an object on the moon weighs less than an object on the Earth, because the Earth has a stronger gravitational force.object on the Earth, because the Earth has a stronger gravitational force.

The environment of microgravity: The environment of microgravity: Some disadvantages of being in microgravitySome disadvantages of being in microgravity

Lack of bone growth and Lack of bone growth and formationformation

Un-even distribution of body fluids Un-even distribution of body fluids resulting in nausea and resulting in nausea and headachesheadaches

Slowing of blood circulation Slowing of blood circulation causing a decrease in heart size, causing a decrease in heart size, because it does not have to work because it does not have to work as hard to push your fluids as hard to push your fluids throughout your body.throughout your body.

Distortion of normal homeostasis Distortion of normal homeostasis processes in organismsprocesses in organisms

Disorientation of plant growthDisorientation of plant growth

Some advantages of being in microgravity:

•Used by pharmaceutical companies for “pure” crystal growthUsed by pharmaceutical companies for “pure” crystal growth

•Easier self-mobilityEasier self-mobility

•Less energy and force needed to work with heavier objectsLess energy and force needed to work with heavier objects

Neutral Buoyancy LaboratoryNeutral Buoyancy Laboratory

Today you will experience some of the challenges of working Today you will experience some of the challenges of working in a microgravity environment. This will be accomplished by in a microgravity environment. This will be accomplished by visiting 3-stations, each addressing a different scenario that visiting 3-stations, each addressing a different scenario that an individual would have to overcome to live and work in a an individual would have to overcome to live and work in a microgravity environment.microgravity environment.