The Gravity Lab Module Project

An NYU Masters Project, Jan 2025-Dec 2025

Matlab Centrifuge Simulator

Download .M File

This is a basic Matlab centrifuge simulator I was able to come up with. It accurately simulates the size and speed of any artificial gravity centrifuge the user desires. The user inputs their desired radius and desired gravitational acceleration and the outputs are the angular acceleration, RPM, Period, and rim speed. It also considers the possible human factors such as possibility of nausea or the Coriolis effect.

A stick man is used as a point of reference to see how large the desired centrifuge really is compared to the average human.

If you’d like to try it out yourself, please download the .m file and run it on Matlab!

These are the first few drawings of the Sleep Pod Module (SPM) as it was known back then in Fall of 2024. It had a simple design and was simply a hollow cylinder with a motor in the back.

These are the first few drawings of the Sleep Pod Module (SPM) as it was known back then in Fall of 2024. It had a simple design and was simply a hollow cylinder with a motor in the back.

This is an image of an initial image of the internal rotation mechanism. It's very rudimentary but was the foundation for something greater. It also depicts how one would observe the mechanism and other people within the SPM.

This is an image of an initial image of the internal rotation mechanism. It's very rudimentary but was the foundation for something greater. It also depicts how one would observe the mechanism and other people within the SPM.

This was one of the initial CADs done on Fusion360. This would be the front; the airlock that would connect to the rest of the stationary space station.

This was one of the initial CADs done on Fusion360. This would be the front; the airlock that would connect to the rest of the stationary space station.

This is the summer 2025 update which implements an isogrid for the structural integrity of both the outer shell of the SPM and the rotating inner shell of the SPM. It is intended to be welded together in a full scale version. In the real-life small-s

This is the summer 2025 update which implements an isogrid for the structural integrity of both the outer shell of the SPM and the rotating inner shell of the SPM. It is intended to be welded together in a full scale version. In the real-life small-scale prototype (coming soon), the shells will be 3D printed with PLA as one piece.

The September Update

As the shape of the structure solidifies and material selections are finalized, simulations will begin soon. These two videos in this section show an exploded view of the Gravity Lab Module with all major components including the motor as well as a short rotation demo which shows how the GLM’s inner cylinder rotates.

Exploded View Video

Rotation Demo Video

The November Update

A lot of progress was made between this update and the previous one. An initial first draft of the research paper has been complete and the design was once more refined thanks to simulations done in Fusion360. A new exploded view video can be seen below as well as a link to the google doc containing the research paper. Feel free to let me know your thoughts!

New Exploded View Video

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Buildings & Structures