Falcon 20 Research Aircraft

The Falcon 20 is a commercial jet that has had its hydraulic and aircraft fuel systems modified so the aircraft can perform parabolic flight manoeuvres for microgravity experiments. By flying in a parabola-shaped arc, the Falcon 20 achieves zero gravity for 15- to 25-seconds. A typical flight has four parabolic trajectories and takes about 45 minutes. In addition to simulating microgravity, the Falcon 20 can provide electrical power and data acquisition systems for users. The aircraft can accommodate up to three small-scale experiments. (Credit: Canadian Space Agency)