[Near-term] Do you guys think it would be best to plan space missions with high rotational gravity?

Not sure if you guys heard, but space occupation is kinda bad for your body, shocking I know 😱

Yet anytime I hear discussion about artificially generated gravity, it’s always in terms of earth gravity, but is that actually a the best idea?

Let’s say, you set off on a longer trip. You’re going to Mars.

You’ll spend 12 weeks on the Martian surface, before coming back to Earth.

You’ll spend a gruelling 12 weeks under Mars’ absolutely oppressive 38% Earth gravity before getting back aboard your ship and coming home. During that time you’ll face a bit of atrophy in both muscle and bone.

So why not get ahead of it?

Have your ship generate 12m/s² of spin gravity, and spend the 9 months travel time under increased weight. Not only will you be generally fitter, which couldn’t hurt, but your time on Mars will see your body atrophy down to something closer to your Earth normal frame, than you’d otherwise experience.

Honestly, it seems like it would be wayyyy smarter to bulk up a bit first. Plus, while you could generate Earth-normal gravity on the way back, but that’s lame, rather, you’d come back fitter than when you left, and look great for media interviews.