Parabolic flights
What is a parabolic flight?
Typical microgravity flight trajectory.
Parabolic flights can simulate microgravity. These parabolic manoeuvres, executed by modified commercial jets, give the opportunity to obtain short periods of free fall. On the upward arc, the thrust of the airplane is adjusted so that there is no lift: the plane is in free fall since nothing reduces the force of gravity. The plane remains in free fall over the top of the parabola and part of the downward arc. Microgravity conditions are achieved for time periods of 15 to 20 seconds, in which it is possible to conduct experiments. By free floating experiments, low g-levels can be achieved for 5 to 8 seconds.
What are parabolic flights used for?
By providing a microgravity environment for short periods of time, parabolic flights offer a low-cost platform to conduct research and scientific experiments, as well as perform testing on technologies and equipment.
Plane type Falcon 20
Credit: NRC
Credit: NRC
The current parabolic flight program accessible to Canadian experimenters is centred on the use of the NRC's Falcon 20 aircraft.
The Falcon 20 is a commercial jet with modified hydraulic and fuel systems to allow it to perform parabolic manoeuvres. The parabolas are executed in a restricted area, about 4,000 and 8,000 m in altitude. A typical flight currently consists of four parabolic trajectories that have a total duration of about 45 minutes. Each parabola lasts approximately 75 seconds, of which 15 to 20 seconds are at 0.02 g or less, followed by a 1.8 g pull-out. In addition to simulating microgravity, the Falcon 20 offers additional services to users, such as electrical power and a data acquisition system. The aircraft can accommodate up to three small-scale experiments.