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NASA Retires Vomit Comet
Mr. Christmas Lights writes "NASA just retired the last of the KC-135 'vomit comets' which were used for reduced (and zero-g) gravity research by flying a
parabolic trajectory for about 25 seconds of Zero-G.
Two of these planes (originally Air Force aerial tankers) were used with the
first one being retired in 2000. /. readers will be happy to know that among
the various achievements was 'at least 285 gallons of vomit' .. although
unknown how much when it was used for filming the Apollo 13 movie. NASA is replacing the KC-135's with a DC-9. There is some personal significance for me in that my father flew this airplane in the 1970's for the (real) Apollo astronauts ... he commented that maintaining the Zero-G profile was accomplished not by using the sensitive G-Meter, but by hanging a nut from a string in the cockpit ... if it drops, push forward, if it raises, pull back - simple but effective. There is a recent commercial offering in this area where for a measly $3,000, you can go for a ride in Gravity One ."
Vomit wasn't the only bodily excretion when the vomit comit was used for filming The Uranus Experiment. So I guess that makes 285 gallons of vomit and one pop-shot.
I know god exists. I read it on the internet, so it must be true.
"Two of these planes (originally Air Force aerial tankers) were used with the first one being retired in 2000
...Two of these planes (originally Air Force aerial tankers) were used with the first one being retired in 2000"
Repeating sentances is fun!
Repeating sentances is fun!
History will be kind to me, for I intend to write it - Sir Winston Churchill
he commented that maintaining the Zero-G profile was accomplished not by using the sensitive G-Meter, but by hanging a nut from a string in the cockpit
My, how far we have come. Nows it's all about thrust-vectoring, F-16 style fly by wire and HUDs. The original test pilots were literally flying by the seat of their pants.
I wonder why larger planes aren't being used for this type of work.
(imagining 280 gallons of VOMIT.)
fP!!!
Wait, we're they originally used as Air Force aerial tankers??
"Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away." -- Philip K. Dick
Honorable or dishonorable discharge?
Game: Player 'Donald J Trump' now has AI skill level 'experimental'.
Heard Tom Hanks talk about the making of A13. Turns out he didn't get sick unless he forgot to take his Scopdex. Never used Scopdex? Not suprising, since it's a combination of scopolamine and dexedrine. Just say no!
It's highly recommended. After the first parabola you start feel uneasy while simultaneously feeling excited and deeply stimulated. Going into the second "Zero-G" (the steepest of the paraBOLUAAAGGGGHHHRRRRRUUUUGGGGGARRGGGGFFFFH...
Don't think that a small group of dedicated individuals can't change the world. It's the only thing that ever has.
... there are still some IL-76MDK with the same purpose present. NASA can simply rent those planes.
The real reason NASA is ditching the Vomet Comet is that it has become obsolete. It would do nothing to prepare astronauts for the experience of being hurled into orbit with the X-4000 Launch Aparatus.
The Uncoveror: It's the real news.
Back in September I was privileged to get to ride on Zero-G's plane, and I just thought I'd mention that it's called G-Force One, not Gravity One. What a kick, too! Definitely recommend it for anyone who can scratch up the $3,000 for some frivolous fun.
I'm so glad the editors actually *read* the submissions they put on the front page.
A real professional job, folks.
Yes, offtopic I know.
Two of these planes (originally Air Force aerial tankers) were used with the first one being retired in 2000.
Two of these planes (originally Air Force aerial tankers) were used with the first one being retired in 2000.
It's a new time-saving feature from the eds here at Slashdot. If they're going to make a story a dupe, they'll do them both at once!
A much bigger deal was the retirement, last August, of the Dash-80. The Dash-80, the original KC-135/Boeing 707 prototype, first flew in 1954. It was used for many test programs therafter, flying until 2003. This was the prototype of the first really successful jetliner.
(The DeHavilland Comet flew years before the Dash-80, but the underpowered Comet had metal fatigue problems and all were grounded after several crashes. The Tupolev Tu-104 was a civilian version of the Badger bomber, braking chutes and all. The Dash-80/707/KC-135 was the first commercial transport that really worked.)
But we were indeed weightless for a little while anyway, and yes, it was really an amazing feeling. I don't know if it's worth $3000 to do it without the seatbelts, though.
John
Now the Olson Twins can have a private jet that assists their weight-loss regimen.
"Wow. Now THAT'S a lot of angry Indians." - Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer