This is how zero-g flights actually work

Tom Scott
11 Dec 201704:05
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThis script details a zero-gravity flight experience with the European Space Agency, where participants experience 1.8gs and witness the effects of freefall. The unique flight requires specialized piloting to maintain parabolas, simulating the absence of air resistance. It also references the Apollo 15 moon experiment, demonstrating that all objects fall at the same rate in a vacuum. The video concludes by inviting students to participate in ESA's Fly Your Thesis program, offering a hands-on experience in microgravity research.

Takeaways
  • 🚀 The script describes an experience on the European Space Agency's zero-g flight, which is used for research purposes.
  • 👨‍🔬 Students are on board to conduct experiments in a microgravity environment, simulating space conditions.
  • 🧑‍✈️ The flight involves a team of pilots, each responsible for a different axis of the aircraft to ensure smooth parabolas for zero-g conditions.
  • 🌍 The aircraft maneuvers are designed to mimic the free-fall conditions experienced in space, where objects fall at the same rate regardless of their mass.
  • 🪜 The Apollo 15 astronauts' moon experiment with a hammer and feather is referenced to illustrate the principle of objects falling at the same speed in the absence of air resistance.
  • 🔄 The pilots switch roles every five or ten parabolas to maintain accuracy and manage fatigue, as flying in such a manner is demanding.
  • ⏰ The aircraft's software has not been modified for these unique maneuvers, so pilots must manage standard alarms while performing the zero-g flights.
  • 🛰️ The flight path is carefully controlled to simulate the trajectory an object would take if thrown into the sky without air resistance.
  • 💺 The aircraft's design limitations, rather than terminal velocity, determine the maximum speed and performance during the descent.
  • 🌱 The Earth's approach during the rapid descent is noted, indicating the close proximity to the ground during the maneuver.
  • 📚 The 'Fly Your Thesis' program is mentioned as an opportunity for Masters or PhD students from ESA member states to participate in such research flights.
Q & A

  • What is the European Space Agency's zero-g flight?

    -The European Space Agency's zero-g flight is a special program where researchers, including students, experience weightlessness in a parabolic flight pattern to conduct experiments similar to those in space.

  • Why is it important to keep the head front and centre during the flight?

    -Keeping the head front and centre helps to avoid nausea during the high gravitational forces experienced during the flight, such as the 1.8gs mentioned in the script.

  • What is the significance of the stabilized camera during the flight?

    -The stabilized camera is locked to the actual horizon to provide a stable visual reference, which is crucial during the disorienting effects of the parabolas and freefall.

  • How does the aircraft achieve the parabolic flight pattern?

    -The aircraft achieves the parabolic flight pattern by flying a specific manoeuvre where it climbs and then descends in a way that creates periods of weightlessness, simulating the freefall condition.

  • Why is turbulence considered a problem during the parabolas?

    -Turbulence can disrupt the precise flight path and conditions needed for accurate zero-g experiments, making it a nightmare for the pilots who are trying to maintain the parabolic manoeuvre.

  • How are the control sticks managed during the flight?

    -The control sticks are locked together so they move in unison, but the pilots use elastic bands to ensure that one pilot's actions on their stick do not affect the other pilot's control of a different axis.

  • What did the Apollo 15 astronauts demonstrate on the moon in 1971?

    -The Apollo 15 astronauts demonstrated the principle of equivalence of gravitational acceleration for all objects, regardless of their mass, by dropping a hammer and a feather simultaneously, which hit the moon's surface at the same time.

  • Why would a hammer thrown by an astronaut on the moon still be in free fall?

    -The hammer would be in free fall because, aside from the moon's gravity, there is no other force acting on it, such as air resistance, which is absent in the vacuum of space.

  • How often do the pilots change roles during the flight?

    -The pilots change roles every five or ten parabolas to maintain accuracy, especially on the pitch axis, which is the most demanding flying technique.

  • Why hasn't the software in the aircraft been modified for the parabolic manoeuvres?

    -Modifying the software would require a significant effort to re-qualify it, and the pilots manage the normal alarms and keep track of necessary ones to ensure the safety and success of the manoeuvres.

  • What is the 'Fly Your Thesis' program and who can participate?

    -The 'Fly Your Thesis' program is an opportunity for Masters or PhD students from an ESA member state to participate in parabolic flights to conduct their research in a weightless environment. The program link is provided in the description of the video.

Outlines
00:00
🚀 Zero-G Experience with the European Space Agency

The script describes an experience on the European Space Agency's zero-g flight. The narrator is undergoing 1.8gs, which is 1.8 times their normal weight, and is instructed to keep their head centered to prevent nausea. The flight is filled with students conducting research, and the narrator is accompanied by Neil for safety. The aircraft is unique, with three pilots each controlling one axis to perform parabolas, which are essential for creating the zero-g environment. The script also touches on the concept of free fall, referencing the Apollo 15 moon experiment where a hammer and a feather fell at the same rate in the absence of air resistance.

🛫 The Art of Flying Parabolas

This section delves into the complexities of flying parabolas in the special aircraft. The pilots are described as managing the three axes—pitch, roll, and thrust—each with a dedicated pilot. The process requires precision to avoid turbulence, which is detrimental to the mission. The control sticks are locked together, but elastic bands are used to allow one pilot to move without affecting the others. The importance of maintaining the accuracy of the parabolas, especially on the pitch axis, is highlighted, as it is the most demanding flying technique.

🌕 Free Fall and the Moon's Gravity

The script discusses the concept of free fall, using the Apollo 15 moon experiment as an example. It explains that in the absence of air, all objects fall at the same speed regardless of their weight. This principle is demonstrated during the zero-g flight, where objects in free fall are only influenced by the moon's gravity. The narrator and the audience are encouraged to experience this phenomenon firsthand during the flight.

✈️ The Challenges of Zero-G Flight Operations

The final part of the script addresses the operational challenges of conducting zero-g flights. The aircraft's software has not been modified for these unique maneuvers, which means that standard alarms are triggered during the parabolas. One of the pilots is responsible for disabling unnecessary alarms while monitoring those that are critical. The pilots' skill is crucial in maintaining the flight path that simulates an object in free fall, limited only by the plane's design constraints. The script concludes with a call to action for Masters or PhD students from ESA member states to participate in the 'Fly Your Thesis' program, with a link provided in the description.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Zero-g flight
A zero-g flight is a parabolic flight that creates brief periods of weightlessness by following a parabolic trajectory. In the video, it is conducted by the European Space Agency (ESA) to simulate the conditions of space for research purposes. The script describes the experience of the narrator as they undergo this flight, highlighting the sensation of weightlessness and its importance for the students conducting experiments.
💡1.8gs
1.8gs refers to experiencing 1.8 times the normal gravitational force, which is a condition known as increased gravity or 'g-force'. The narrator mentions this to illustrate the physical sensation during the flight's maneuver. It is a key concept as it contrasts with the subsequent zero-g experience and is a measure of the forces acting on the body during the parabolic flight.
💡Freefall
Freefall is the motion of an object where gravity is the only force acting upon it, causing it to accelerate towards the ground. The script uses the concept of freefall to explain the Apollo 15 moon experiment, where a hammer and a feather were dropped simultaneously and hit the surface at the same time due to the absence of air resistance. This illustrates the principle of freefall in the context of the zero-g environment.
💡Parabolas
In the context of the video, parabolas refer to the parabolic flight path of the aircraft, which is essential for creating the zero-g conditions. The aircraft follows this path to simulate the experience of microgravity. The script mentions changing pilots after every five or ten parabolas to maintain accuracy and manage the demanding flying technique.
💡Pitch
Pitch in aviation refers to the rotation of an aircraft around its lateral (y) axis. In the script, it is one of the three axes controlled by different pilots during the zero-g flight. The pitch axis is particularly highlighted as being the most demanding, requiring precise control to achieve the desired parabola for the zero-g experience.
💡Roll
Roll is the rotation of an aircraft around its longitudinal (x) axis. The script explains that one of the pilots is responsible for controlling the roll during the zero-g flight, ensuring that the aircraft maintains the correct orientation while avoiding disturbing the pitch control.
💡Thrust
Thrust is the force that propels an aircraft forward and is one of the three axes controlled by the pilots in the script. It is crucial for maintaining the correct speed and trajectory during the parabolic flight, contributing to the creation of the zero-g environment.
💡Turbulence
Turbulence refers to the unsteady airflow that can cause an aircraft to experience sudden and irregular movements. In the script, it is mentioned as something to be avoided during the zero-g flight, as it can disrupt the precise maneuvers required to achieve the desired parabola and affect the quality of the weightless experience.
💡Terminal velocity
Terminal velocity is the maximum constant speed that a freely falling object eventually reaches when the resistance of the medium through which it is falling prevents further acceleration. The script clarifies that in the zero-g flight, there is no terminal velocity due to the absence of air resistance, and the only limiting factor is the design of the aircraft.
💡Fly Your Thesis program
The Fly Your Thesis program is an initiative by the ESA that allows Masters or PhD students from ESA member states to conduct experiments in a microgravity environment. The script encourages eligible students to participate in this program, providing a link for more information, thus connecting the video's content to educational opportunities.
💡Masters or PhD student
The script addresses Masters or PhD students as the target audience for the Fly Your Thesis program. These advanced students are typically involved in research projects, and the zero-g flight provides them with a unique environment to test their hypotheses and gather data that would be difficult to obtain on Earth.
Highlights

Experiencing 1.8gs during the European Space Agency's zero-g flight, simulating weightlessness.

Instructions to keep the head front and centre to avoid nausea during the zero-g flight.

Students conducting research during the zero-g flight.

Neil's role for safety during the flight.

The aircraft going into freefall during the zero-g flight.

Camera stabilization to the actual horizon during the flight.

The confusion of still going up during the 20-second parabola.

Division of the three axes - pitch, roll, and thrust - during the flight.

Each pilot flying one axis to avoid turbulence.

Use of elastic bands by pilots to avoid affecting each other's axis.

Historical reference to the Apollo 15 astronauts' gravity experiment on the moon.

The concept that all objects fall at the same speed in the absence of air, demonstrated with a hammer and a feather.

The weird physics of objects in free fall, only affected by the moon's gravity.

The parabolic maneuver's uniqueness not found in normal Airbus operations.

Pilots managing alarms and maintaining the flight path for zero-g conditions.

The protective bubble of zero-g created by the pilots for the passengers.

The absence of terminal velocity in the flight, limited only by the plane's design.

The rapid approach of the Earth during the fast descent in the flight.

Invitation for Masters or PhD students to participate in the Fly Your Thesis program.

Transcripts

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Zero-G FlightSpace ResearchParabolic ManeuverEuropean Space AgencyStudent ExperimentsFreefall ExperienceAstronaut TrainingFlight DynamicsMoon GravityPhysics ProofFly Your Thesis