Japan kicks off artificial gravity research project

According to Asahi Shimbun, scientists at Kyoto University and construction company Kajima have just announced plans to build facilities and vehicles to support human life on the Moon and Mars.

Graphic of the base model that generates gravity on the Moon. (Photo: Kajima Corp).

During a press conference on July 5, Mr. Yosuke Yamashiki - Director of the Center for Human and Space Research at Kyoto University - said: 'This plan is unique worldwide. It represents important technologies that will ensure future human habitability in space."

The focus of the plan is to build infrastructure with artificial gravity. Specifically, these facilities can generate gravity similar to those on Earth by centrifugal force from rotation. These facilities are called the Moon Glass and the Mars Glass.

Normally, the gravity on the Moon and Mars is only 1/6 and 1/3 of the Earth's gravity, respectively. New technology will reduce the harm to human health when living on planets with low gravity.

In addition, the researchers also plan to build forests and build rivers to simulate biodiversity on Earth.

The project also includes the construction of a transport system called the 'Spaceship System' to travel between the Earth, the Moon and Mars. The size of the Shinkasen high-speed rail system and artificial gravity, the new vehicle will operate like trains on Earth.

The train station will be located at satellites around the Earth, Moon and Mars. The train will be powered by linear or rocket engines. The carriages move in a hexagonal pattern between the planets to avoid cosmic radiation.

However, these ideas were only possible until the 22nd century. Building the facility is thought to take at least 100 years, but the scientists aim to complete a simpler version by 2050.