How does a zero gravity simulator used to train astronauts actually work?
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It mimics zero gravity by flying in parabolic arcs. The so-called “Vomit Comet” plane takes off like a regular plane and then climbs at a steep angle. At the top of the arc, the plane basically nosedives for a bit, and during that freefall period, you get the sensation of zero gravity. The plane has padded walls so you can float around without hurting yourself.
So, the basic physics behind it is pretty much the same as when you feel weightless going over the top of a roller coaster hill, just way more intense. The pilots have to be really skilled, because they’re doing these maneuvers at pretty high speeds and altitudes, and they gotta keep it super smooth to maintain that weightless environment inside.
It’s not 100% like being in space ’cause you’re still within Earth’s atmosphere and all that, but it gets astronauts accustomed to the feeling of not having any weight, which helps with their training and preps them for the real deal in space. You only get short bursts of weightlessness though, like 20-30 seconds each, before the plane has to level out and climb again to set up for the next arc.
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