What if, during the Space Race, either the US or the USSR got it in their heads that building a space station with a proper rotating artificial gravity section was a prestige project worth pursuing?
So, here are the parameters:
- POD after 1960
- Both sides need to make a reasonable effort to build one
- Neither side actually has to succeed, they just have to try a few times
- Diameter of the rotating section should be at least 17 meters (diameter of skylab)
- Rotating section does not need to be round
- Rotational speed should be enough to be provide perceptible gravity for extended periods
- Rotating section should be operable for at least a full 24 hours, continuously
- No, that Gemini mission doesn't count