The zero-gravity simulation flights represent a part of the various tests to become a NASA astronaut, and certainly are the most attractive and known by the public. After all, who never thought about feeling of being in a non-gravity environment? But how possible is this simulation? Look that:

Flights in zero gravity

Basically, zero gravity simulations depend on a free fall. If you observe, when an object is in free fall, it is only under the influence of gravity. So to simulate a non-gravity flight just create a free fall, but safely.

To do this, the plane must move up at a steep angle, and then dive. This movement can be named as parabola arc, Kepler Path, or even free fall route.

In this process, during the ascension, the acceleration of the airplane and the force of gravity create such force that the passengers come to weigh almost twice the normal, is 1.8 times the force of gravity. When the plane passes the top of this parabola, the centrifugal force exerted on the plane, and whatever is inside it, cancels the gravitational force. It’s then that the sensation of zero gravity happens. In fact, it’s a microgravity, because only the despicable gravitational forces are present. The experiment takes about 30 seconds, and then the plane dives and then climbs up again and starts a new parabola.

Is not it amazing how through physics you can simulate a zero gravity environment? Did you like to know more about this? Follow our blog and find out more.