Can this type of winged humanoid possibly work? See diagrams

Question

So, I don't believe that the "angelic" type winged human can exist (y'know, the kind with the feathery wings sprouting from the back). Too many problems of anatomy, weight, etc. But I am trying to create something where the humanoid is winged, but with a more plausible anatomy.

Added to which: I'm creating a microgravity habitat where humanoids have developed wings to fly there (I don't know the exact amount of microgravity as compared to the gravity of Earth but very low), with air composition and density to match Earths atmosphere.

Here's a drawing of what I imagine (better art work forthcoming):

The wings are not feathery, but more fleshy with cartilaginous joints like those seen in these x-rays of animals.

The base of a cats tail:

Or this:

That being the case, maybe the wings could even do what the tail of this animal is doing:

So the appendages/"wings" are connected to the body the same way that a cats tail is connected to a cat or that lizard, can move about in many different ways, and can flap to propel the humanoid through the air of this microgravity environment.

Say we hand wave the possibility of how these humanoids developed this way (extra love if you tackle that), do you think this anatomy could work to give them flight in this environment?

p.s. In the drawing I made one hand webbed, and the other not, to ask if it would make difference either way, though I've kind've decided against it myself.

p.s.s. I also took some inspiration from this (in terms of the wings):

Answer 1

I would keep the hands without webbing. Otherwise your humanoid will have issues working with tools (etc). I like the choice of adding lots of extra limbs.

On the whole I'd say this is one of the more sane winged humanoid designs:

• It looks well enough balanced to be potentially flyable.
• Your choice of cartilage for the wing "ribs" is a very good one because it helps prevent fragility. I'd forgo bones entirely and go just for cartilage - like a humans nose. In micro gravity with low friction, I imagine a winged humanoid could travel quite fast, and normal bones would be two brittle to survive a collision. In micro-g it doesn't need to support the humans weight, and bones would just add extra mass.
• Similarly, the winglets on the feet would give good flight control over pitch - particularly if the legs are kept separate (which I think they are? I'm not quite sure).

That said, I'd be concerned about:

1. Muscle Mass. This isn't an issue if you are in zero or really-really tiny gravity, but I don't see this design working out in anything more than 1% G. There simply aren't muscles powerful enough. This is particularly an issue for the hip wings, but maybe those are just for more base guidance than for propulsion.

2. Still has feet - despite the fact they would never be able to use them. I'd say the bones would be merged into the foot-wing-part rather than kept distinct. Still keep the two legs to provide flight control, but the feed are likely redundant. Some ankle-joint rework may also be required to give sufficient up elevator to pull out of dives (not that a dive really exists in micro-g)

3. Face direction. I expect a winged humanoid to look in it's primary direction of travel. So the neck or skull may have to be redesigned to loop in the "upwards" (of a normal human) direction a bit more. Try looking vertically for a couple hours and you'll have a very stiff neck....

On the whole, I'd say this is a pretty sane design, as well as a rather pretty picture. Also, I'd call them "sails" rather than "wings" but that's just personal preference.