Parabolic Maneuvers

NASA's Reduced Gravity Flight Program makes it possible for scientists to conduct research in a simulated weightless environment. The reduced-gravity aircraft flies an up-and-down parabolic pattern. This parabolic pattern provides about 30 seconds of hypergravity (about 1.8 g - 2 g) as the plane climbs to the top of the parabola. Once the nose of the airplane starts to tip over the top of the parabola to descend toward Earth, the plane experiences about 25 seconds of microgravity (0 g). A typical flight may consist of 30 to 40 parabolic maneuvers flown over the Gulf of Mexico.

Image Credit: NASA