So I'm running into an issue with zero-g / micro-gravity habitats that is really limiting my imagination. I really want to set my campaign in the belt vs. the inner system but I am running into a real problem. How do you describe everyday life in these places? I mean the existence of gravity pretty much rules our conceptual abilities when it comes to architecture, civic design, living spaces, transportation, etc. I have no problem imagining what things might look like on Mars, Luna or an O'Neil Cylinder spun for gravity, but I really don't know where to start description wise for a true micro-gravity habitat that has large internal spaces. Describing a tin can station is pretty easy as they are just a series of small rooms but with the larger asteroid habitats I'm stumped. For example...
1. What does a "street" look like?
2. What does the inside of a large building look like?
3. How do people move about in large spaces? Powered grab lines everywhere? People pushing off in random directions? Accepted lines of travel? Do people wear small manoeuvring harnesses to just fly everywhere (at slow speeds)?
4. Do (trans)humans still align themselves to "up" and "down" when they have lived in micro-gravity for years? If not, how does this affect architecture?
5. What would the inside of a club or bar look like? Would there still be tables (with grip surfaces for your drink / food pouches) to gather around (with under / over table grab bars)? Would people just enter the bar and immediately connect to a VR space to simulate a more traditional gravity environment?
It's really frustrating because I start imagining scenarios or locations and have to do a double-take on my own imagination because its default is a gravity environment. This is slowly pushing me to relocate the campaign to the inner system just to avoid this issue.
Also, there appears to be a severe lack of zero-g "small scene" sci-fi art (such as a bar, street, etc). Most artists either only do space / planet scenes or assume some form of artificial gravity.
Any input would be appreciated.
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Everyday Life & Microgravity
Thu, 2014-07-03 14:32
#1
Everyday Life & Microgravity
Thu, 2014-07-03 14:45
#2
Doesn't Panopticon go into
Doesn't Panopticon go into some detail on this?
Thu, 2014-07-03 14:55
#3
hmmm, I'll have to have
hmmm, I'll have to have another look but I don't remember anything specific.
Thu, 2014-07-03 15:13
#4
Nope, it seems like the
Nope, it seems like the authors stuck primarily to describing tin cans (and other smaller habs) and the more familiar habs that have gravity. Information on the interior of larger beehive chambers or public spaces seems to be lacking.
Thu, 2014-07-03 16:06
#5
I think there's a lot to be
I think there's a lot to be said for avoiding large open spaces to begin with. Nobody wants to be stuck pushing off, floating, noticing they got the angle wrong, and having to wait it out after all. You'd probably want a wall or a hand rail within arms reach at all times.