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If we wish to colonize another world, finding a planet with a gravitational field that humans can survive and thrive under will be crucial. If its gravity is too strong our blood will be pulled down into our legs, our bones might break, and we could even be pinned helplessly to the ground.
Finding the gravitational limit of the human body is something that's better done before we land on a massive new planet. Now, in a paper published on the pre-print server arXiv, three physicists, claim that the maximum gravitational field humans could survive long-term is four-and-a-half times the gravity on Earth.
Or, at least you could if you are an Icelandic strongman – and Game of Thrones monster – who can walk with more than half a metric ton on your back. For mere mortals, the researchers say, it would need to be a little weaker.
[...] For the maximum gravity at which we could take a step, the team turned to Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, an Icelandic strongman who once walked five steps with a 1430 pound log on his back, smashing a 1,000-year-old record[*].
[*] YouTube video.
What's the Maximum Gravity We Could Survive?
(Score: 2) by takyon on Saturday September 22 2018, @03:15PM (1 child)
If we have the technology to go to another star system, we probably can get out of a stronger gravity well whenever we want to.
It's galactic real estate. If you want to live in the far future, you can live on the overcrowded oasis that is on Earth, imperfect solar system objects such as the Moon, Mars, Ceres, and Titan, on a space station, possibly spinning to simulate gravity, or you can go interstellar if technology allows it. It may be possible for individuals to reach other star systems without generation ships by using anti-aging and suspended animation. Settling on the surface of a planet (with breathable atmosphere and correct temperature) can have a lot of advantages over an orbiting station (if I break a wall in your house, you won't die).
As I wrote above, we probably don't need to adapt to 4.5g because there will be very few suitable exoplanets with that surface gravity. 1.25g seems more likely, and may not require any genetic modification to adapt to it, although you will get a little buffer living there.
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 4, Funny) by Arik on Saturday September 22 2018, @05:28PM
It's galactic real estate. If you want to live in the far future, you can live on the overcrowded oasis that is on Earth, imperfect solar system objects such as the Moon, Mars, Ceres, and Titan, on a space station, possibly spinning to simulate gravity"
The last option is the one you should be thinking about.
Oh give me a locus
where the gravitons focus
Where the three-body problem is solved.
Where the microwaves play
down at three degrees K
and the cold virus never evolved.
Home, Home on LaGrange
Where the space debris always collects
We possess so it seems
two of man's greatest dreams.
Solar power and zero-gee sex.
If laughter is the best medicine, who are the best doctors?