Zero Gravity Corporation
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Zero Gravity Corporation (also known as ZERO-G) is a Fort Lauderdale-based company which operates weightless flights. The company operates a modified Boeing 727 which flies parabolic arcs similar to those of NASA's KC-135 Reduced Gravity Aircraft. Unlike NASA, Zero G is governed by the FAA under Part 121 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (as are Delta Air Lines and FedEx) enabling them to offer the experience of weightlessness to both adventure tourists and researchers alike. Current ticket price is approximately USD $3,500 + tax.
Founded by Ansari X Prize chairman Peter Diamandis and former astronaut Byron Lichtenberg, the company is one of many private space companies working towards space tourism. A number of notable passengers have been on weightless flights run by the company, including Penn Jillette[1], Martha Stewart, Burt Rutan, Buzz Aldrin, and John Carmack. Theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking is scheduled to go on a flight April 26, 2007.[2]
[edit] Flight experience
A Zero G flight lasts approximately two hours, and consists of 15 parabolas: 2 that simulate martian gravity, 3 that simulate lunar gravity, and 10 that simulate weightlessness[3]. Each parabola begins with the aircraft climbing at a 45 degree angle at approximately 24,000 feet, peaks at 32,000 feet, and ends with the aircraft pointed down at a 30 degree angle.
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.quut.com/archive/penn-how-to-fly/
- ^ Stephen Hawking's Zero-G Flight Booked, CBS News, March 1, 2007
- ^ Zero G Flights Could Bolster Space Tourism, Research Industries, Space.com, September 22, 2004
[edit] External links
- Official site
- Farewell to Gravity (Wired article by Xeni Jardin)
- Notes on Zero-G flight by John Carmack (September 26, 2004)
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