Why aren't space stations circular,similar to 2001 or Buck Rogers movies?

Question

Just musing, why only micro gravity space stations. Why not design a space station with a simulated gravity enviroment using rotation to induce a centrifigal force based gravity enviroment. This would overcome many difficulties and extend tours on the space stations.

The idea I have is to "recycle" the external tank from the shuttle assembly for the basic blocks of the assembly. It is already launched into a low earth orbit anyway and then deorbited. With a properly constructed connecting structure you could create the basic shape and with some modfication to the tanks the inner construction could be continued. Similar to the modular construction methods used on the ISS, however the expansion capabilities are far greater with this design. The docking problems are similar to capturing a satellite, and that's been accomplished. And you would still have a micro-gravity enviroment at the hub of the circle.

Answer 1

Three reasons:

First, the tremendous cost (and difficulty) in building something that large. Transporting a glass of water to space works out to be about $400 by weight.

Second, we go to space to study ZERO gravity environments.

Third, spinning causes docking difficulties - especially for the automated Russian delivery modules. A spinning outside and a stationary inside has design problems.

Answer 2

The problem now is the logistics of trying to build such a station, even from recycled materials. However you are right that it would extend time at the station a little bit, because muscle would have to work harder and not deteriorate as fast. Eventually, they probably will construct space stations this way for the practical reasons already described. Possibly one day we might have to build one big enough for everyone, if we haven`t conquered space travel to other inhabited worlds, when the earth finally can`t support us any longer.

Answer 3

The one simple answer to that is cause it is so expensive. Countries barely have the funds to put up money to build their part of current space stations. Russia is being helped big time by allowing rich people pay to go to space with them.

Answer 4

Hi. You have two good answers, but have you ever played the game "HALO"? Takes place on a ring world hundreds of miles in diameter. You would love the graphics.

Answer 5

I don't think we have got that far yet, and rotating the space craft has other problems.

Answer 6

Because they don`t need to be.

Answer 7

And, it would be significantly more expensive.