Astronaut Training Centrifuge

angular velocity ω

1.

t

This Demonstration shows a centrifuge used to train astronauts to endure high accelerations in space flight; a capsule with an astronaut inside spins in a circular path with a radius of 15 m and a variable angular velocity

ω

(alternatively expressed in m/s and revolutions per minute, RPM). Angular acceleration is shown in terms of the value of gravitational acceleration

g

. The human body can tolerate up to

10g

, which can be increased with training.