Weightlessness

Weightlessness is the state of not experiencing the effects of gravity. Most people assume there is only weightlessness in a no gravity situation such as on the space shuttle. But what most people don't realize, if you are in a state of freefall you experience weightlessness. You are in a freefall skydiving, on a rollercoaster at an amusement park, or when NASA trains astronauts. When riding a roller coaster, there are times when you experience …showed first 75 words of 272 total…

…showed last 75 words of 272 total…NASA incorporates weightlessness training programs. One such program is nicknamed the "vomit comet." This is an airplane, the KC-135, which allows the astronauts to experience weightlessness for 30 second intervals. The plane flies in a series of parabolic patterns. This was first done in July of 1978 by Guion S. Bluford. Another way they experience weightlessness is in a simulator. Although they don't physically experience weightlessness, they learn to maneuver the space craft in a weightless environment.