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Zero Gravity Flights for the Rest of Us
waynegoode writes "Zero G Corporation, whose motto is "Question Gravity", is now offering zero gravity flights to the general public. For $3000 you get training and a 90 minute ride with 15 periods of 25 seconds of low or zero-gravity: 3 1/3 Mars gravity, 3 1/6 Lunar gravity, and 9 zero gravity. Peter Diamandis, the man behind the Ansari X Prize, worked 11 years to get FAA approval. Previously, such flights were available only to astronauts, researchers, and Tom Hanks; although recently flights for the public began Russia for about twice the price. Story also here."
Consider that sky-diving can also offer you zero-g styled environment and it almost seems like a ripoff. If you were doing serious research it would be worth the cash but just for the sensation of free fall you can do better for less.
Dedicated Cthulhu Cultist since 4523 BC.
All orbit is is free fall with enough horizontal velocity to match. Orbit simply is fast free fall. Zero-g exists in orbit. How is this different?
Rhymes that keep their secrets will unfold behind the clouds.There upon the rainbow is the answer to a neverending story
In case anyone's interested, skydiving is a cheaper way of obtaining a similar experience. The primary difference with skydiving is the lack of walls.
I would say the primary difference with skydiving is the wind... which you would not experience if you were inside a box/plane.
Jesus,
what the hell was the FAA thinking.
If this isn't an advertisment for reducing the size of goverment I don't know what is.
Civil dis-obedience is rapidly becoming mandatory behaviour.
Wouldnt you get a similar effect on some of the larger roller coasters? You could ride one 25 times for a days admission to a theme park.
skydiving is a cheaper way of obtaining a similar experience. The primary difference with skydiving is the lack of walls.
What about the wind?
Tried neither, but seems that sould be very different..
I do think, however, they might want to charge an extra "clean up" premium on porn shoots...
"Who are in control, they are not in control of anything - they don't even control themselves!" - Glen Beck
Well, try to remember (I know this is hard sometimes) that this company is trying to make money. I'm sure they understand the physics of their airplane rides, but to the general public "Zero Gravity" sounds a lot more exotic and exciting than "Free Falling." You can't blame them for trying to market their product.
They do this with regular passenger airliners once in a while, though in most cases the landing is a bit on the rough side.
That should read "Free-Fall Flights for the Rest of Us". Zero Gravity has a very different meaning, and hasn't been an acceptable substitute for "free-fall" in 20+ years.
Bah. This is pedantry. (on slashdot!?)
Astronauts floating in the space shuttle are experiencing 'free fall' rather than 'zero gravity'. But not many people would quibble with using the term 'zero gravity' in that instance.
The zero G experienced on this plane is the same zero G experienced by astronauts in orbiting vehicles.
And skydiving isnt very similar at all - you'll reach terminal velocity quickly and will 'feel' the force of gravity thereafter. Not to mention it's a lot windier. Skydiving on the moon on the other hand... just dont come crying to me when your parachute doesnt work.
The plane has ENGINES. It can exceed terminal velocity in a dive.
Actually, they'd be fine. As the plane pulls out of the dive, "gravity" gradually increases back to one G.
I lost friends in high school to "hill topping". In a controlled environment it could be pretty fun, but there are far too many ways to Darwin yourself:
I dare say that the "vomit comet" is far safer than jumping your car on some hill out on the middle of nowhere.
Dewey, what part of this looks like authorities should be involved?