How Was Artificial Gravity Created on Hermes in the Martian?

Artificial Gravity is a fascinating concept that has been explored in science fiction for decades. In “The Martian,” the movie adaptation of Andy Weir’s novel, artificial gravity is created on the spacecraft Hermes to provide a comfortable environment for the crew during their journey to and from Mars. But how was this achieved?

The answer lies in the design of the Hermes spacecraft itself. Rather than relying on centrifugal force, which is often used to create artificial gravity in science fiction, the Hermes uses a rotating habitat module.

The habitat module is a cylindrical section of the spacecraft that rotates around its central axis. The crew quarters, workstations, and other essential areas are located within this module. As it rotates, the centrifugal force generated by the spinning motion creates an artificial gravity effect.

To ensure that the crew experiences a gravitational force similar to that on Earth, the habitat module rotates at a constant speed of 10 revolutions per minute. This speed was carefully chosen to produce a gravitational force equivalent to about one-third of Earth’s gravity.

To further enhance their comfort, crew members have special boots with magnetic soles that allow them to walk on any surface as if they were on Earth. These boots use an electromagnetic field to simulate gravity and prevent crew members from floating around while inside the rotating habitat.

In addition to providing artificial gravity, the rotating habitat also has other benefits for crew members. It helps regulate temperature and air circulation throughout the spacecraft and provides a more natural day-night cycle for astronauts who would otherwise experience 24-hour daylight during their journey.

In conclusion, artificial gravity was created on Hermes in “The Martian” by using a rotating habitat module that generates centrifugal force equivalent to about one-third of Earth’s gravity. This design not only simulates gravity but also provides additional benefits such as regulating temperature and air circulation while also providing a more natural day-night cycle for astronauts. With advancements in technology, who knows what other creative solutions will be developed to tackle the challenges of space exploration.