Parabolic aircraft flights - An effective tool in preparing microgravity experiments

Aircraft parabolic flights have proved useful for allowing human intervention into short-term microgravity experiments. NASA uses a converted KC-135 to give researchers a microgravity environment 25 sec at a time. The flights, as happened with the Spacelab Fluid Physics Module, permit check-outs of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:E.S.A. bulletin 1985-05 (42), p.58-63
Main Authors: Frimout, D, GONFALONE, A
Format: Article
Language:English
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Aircraft parabolic flights have proved useful for allowing human intervention into short-term microgravity experiments. NASA uses a converted KC-135 to give researchers a microgravity environment 25 sec at a time. The flights, as happened with the Spacelab Fluid Physics Module, permit check-outs of hardware intended for space or examinations of phenomena previously observed in space. Up to 40 parabolas are flown per flight, with the number being modified to fit the experiment manifest for the particular mission. A summary of ESA experiments conducted during a series of parabolic arcs is presented.
ISSN:0376-4265