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by Jonathan Strickland
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Training to become an astronaut requires an applicant to endure physically demanding and stressful tests -- various
machines and simulators measure each trainee's response to the rigors of space travel. Today, an entirely unrelated
industry uses many of these simulators and other devices for a different purpose -- entertainment.
Simulating Weightlessness
So exactly how can we simulate weightlessness without escaping the gravitational pull of the Earth? The simplest
answer is that we observe an object in free fall. Free fall is when an object falls solely under the influence of gravity.
Because of air resistance, an object can't truly be in a free fall without being in a vacuum.
The largest LMT on Earth is the Large Zenith Telescope in British Columbia. Its spinning liquid mirror is almost 20 feet
across and weighs three tons, making it the third-largest telescope in North America. The dish that holds the mercury
is fabricated from hexagonal segments glued together to form a shell. Each piece has a high-density foam core
covered with fiberglass. To give the shell a concave shape, it is heated in a large oven. A wall at the rim of the mirror
prevents mercury from spilling.
forms of energy, it could provide even more spectacular results. But, as we'll see in the next section, building an LMT
on the moon presents its own challenges.
Suiting Up
If you want to experience a zero-gravity flight, you can book a trip on G-FORCE-ONE -- a modified Boeing 727-200 -through the ZERO-G Web site or at your local Sharper Image store for $3,500. The package includes your flight,
unique merchandise and a post-flight celebration (or, depending on your point of view, a wake for your temporary
dramatic weight loss). Passengers must be at least 15 years old if unaccompanied, or 12 if flying with a parent or
guardian.
Motion Sickness
ZERO-G has a stigma to shake off -- that of the Vomit Comet, the
name passengers gave to NASAs zero-gravity flight programs.
Many people who have taken a trip on NASAs zero-gravity flights
experienced severe motion sickness. ZERO-Gs focus is more on
entertainment than research, and so they strive to reduce
passenger discomfort.
According to the company, most people begin to experience motion
sickness after the plane has traveled through 25 or more parabolic
arcs -- the company limits G-FORCE-ONE to 15 arcs per trip
[Source: Zero Gravity Corporation]. The company also provides
Dramamine for passengers prone to motion sickness.
After you book your flight, the company will mail you a packet of information and forms to fill out. Forms include a
waiver and statement that you are not suffering from any conditions or illnesses that could become worse during the
flight. Some passengers may need to obtain a doctor's permission before the company allows them to go on the
NASAs KC-135A in a
45-degree ascent.
experience.
On the day of your flight, you'll travel to the appropriate location -- normally either McCarren International Airport in
Las Vegas or the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Once you're at the airport, you'll have to check in with the flight
center where you'll receive your own flight suit.
You'll then enjoy a light meal (you wouldn't want to fill up before throwing your sense of equilibrium out of whack)
provided by the company before watching an orientation and safety video. The video is a mandatory part of the
experience, and the company is serious about showing it to every passenger. If you leave during the video for any
reason, you will have to watch the entire video again uninterrupted before the company allows you on the flight. After
the video, passengers participate in a question-and-answer session with the flight crew.
In the next section, we'll find out what it's like to do a somersault in zero gravity
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Thank You
The company's headquarters is in Las Vegas, Nev. Most flights originate from
Las Vegas or the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, but because many
Thanks to Dr. Peter Diamandis of
airports can accommodate a 727, the company invites customers to charter
the Zero Gravity Corporation for
flights based out of their nearest major airport, making it that much easier to
his input on this article.
achieve a lifelong dream of defying gravity.
To find out more about zero-gravity flights, check out the links on the next page.
Sources
"A brief interlude in zero-G." New Scientist. Vol. 194, Issue 2602, 5/5/2007.
Dempsey, Robert, et al. "Thank You for Flying the Vomit Comet." The Physics Teacher. Vol. 45,
February 2007.
Gold, Scott. "Floating Free and Queasy." Los Angeles Times. Sept. 15, 2004.
Personal interview with Dr. Peter Diamandis on July 20, 2007.
Spangenberg, Ray and Moser, Diane. "The World's Highest Rollercoaster." Final Frontier,
Sept./Oct. 1988.
US Patent # 5,971,319. System for converting jet aircraft to parabolic flight operation.
ZERO-G Corporation
http://www.gozerog.com