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collegefurtrader t1_j6ejrq2 wrote

All motion is relative. If you are moving along a straight line out in space, and you want to start spinning, then you just do that. The linear motion means absolutely nothing because without reference to something else it doesn’t even really exist.

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nesquikchocolate t1_j6ejy34 wrote

What problem are you trying to solve...?

Two spinning spheres attached to eachother with a "tether" will definitely be able to function in a "centrifugal" manner as long as you keep the tether taut and both balls spinning around the centre - at the right speed, you'll also have the 1G gravity we like, at a very specific distance away from the centre of gravity - much more further away, and much less as you get closer to the middle.

This isn't ideal for travelling to destinations, though, as nobody can dock with you and you have to somehow get "rid" of all the momentum before you get to your destination anyway, you cannot safely orbit a planet while also spinning around yourself.

If you were to launch a shuttle from one of your spheres, you'd immediately have a major shift in your centre of gravity, since the balance of masses changed - this can jerk your tether and cause damage to the spheres.

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Anonymous-USA t1_j6er949 wrote

Absolutely. The two are independent forces in perpendicular directions.

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space-ModTeam t1_j6etr55 wrote

Hello u/morphikk, your submission "Hypothetical question about centrifugal force?" has been removed from r/space because:

  • Such questions should be asked in the "All space questions" thread stickied at the top of the sub.

Please read the rules in the sidebar and check r/space for duplicate submissions before posting. If you have any questions about this removal please message the r/space moderators. Thank you.

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DogeVegasSupreme t1_j6ejgmd wrote

I believe so but I'm an idiot. Works in movies

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