Generating Gravity

[Kuroneko]

From an energy expenditure standpoint, rotation is by far superior to any of the alternatives proposed so far.

[Perinquus]

I saw on PBS once that a researcher was using electromagnets to float organisms, such as spiders and insects. I think he said that he would need 12 to 20 megawatts to suspend a human in his device.

Also, you have to make sure that non of your equipment would be attracted to the electromagnetic fields your using to simulate gravity - picking a hammer off the floor would probably be a bitch.

The good thing about the magnetic fields option is that the technology already exist. Of course there will be kinks to work out, but I think this is probably better than the rotating section option, and way better than the constant 1g acceleration/deceleration.

Why would it be "way better" than constant boost, when constant boost will be faster? Not to mention dispensing with the complication of not being able to use anything made out of ferrous metals and the possible long term health side effects of living in an intense magnetic field for extended duration.

[SyntaxVorlon]

Rotation would probably be better for starships going on extremely extended journeys, with normal teck you'd need a huge storehouse of uranium, with fusion you might be able to do it with better energy and a smaller storehouse, but really if you are going for a huge trip make sure you put most everyone in hiber.