Michael returns to Star City for Cosmonaut Training
Michael once more returned to Star City to continue his cosmonaut training, this time taking a parabolic flight in a Russian Ilyushin II-76. The zero or microgravity of space is simulated by flying a series of parabolic flight maneuvers that counter the forces of gravity and allow astronauts and cosmonauts to learn how to perform tasks in conditions of zero gravity.
German scientists Fritz and Heinz Haber invented the parabolic flight in 1950, and over the past 50 years, aircraft flying parabolic trajectories have been an important stepping stone in space exploration and research. The trajectory starts with a climb, and halfway through it, lift and thrust are reduced to produce approximately 25 seconds of 0 g. During the 0 g phase, the plane reaches a plateau and begins to descend.
A state of weightlessness is something humans experience during every space flight. It means that the body has to operate in a completely different environment to the constant gravitational world in which it evolved. So research into the effects of microgravity on the human body is vital for sustaining humans in long-duration spaceflight, especially when they have to perform taxing operational tasks. What's more, some research in physics and chemistry, such as the study of fluid mechanics applied to fuel flow in spacecraft, can only be performed in conditions of microgravity. Ever since space exploration first began, only a few hundred people have had the privilege of experiencing the literally out of this world feeling of floating in total weightlessness.
Michael's zero-g training was part of the preparation for his upcoming spaceflight with Virgin Galactic. He was especially keen to learn how to handle his camera in conditions of weightlessness. On this trip Michael was again accompanied by the renowned German photographer Thomas Rusch who shot photo and video footage during the flight.
Special thanks to Andreas Bergweiler from Space Affairs who organized the training.
www.space-affairs.com