Question Can we generate artificial gravity?

[Smev]

Due to the loss of bone mass and other affects of being in space with no gravity what are the latest thoughts on artificial gravity? Why is there not a spinning gravity module on the ISS? Is this planned for the future? Is there a material with gravity properties that could be used in space flight that would produce enough artificial gravity to stop the bone loss?

 

[Ken Fabian]

I suspect that paired modules linked with tensile cable - or tensile air filled tubes - would be the simplest and most stable way to get effective pseudo-gravity. A third module at the axis of rotation could provide access to space or docking shuttles without spinning down and spinning back up, although any significant mass would upset the natural stability that two modules would have - and require ways to keep alignment and prevent oscillations or worse.