Experience zero gravity without going to space

UAE residents could soon be able to experience weightlessness just like astronauts - without going to space.

A US exhibitor at the 72nd International Astronautical Congress (IAC) said they will be offering parabolic flights in the near future, to experience total weightlessness…floating, flipping and soaring like an astronaut.

The mega event which has taken place in several cities annually since 1950 is being held for the first time in the Middle East.

Noelle Pearson, director of sales, Zero G, said: “I am representing Zero Gravity Corporation at IAC. We are here to show that you can take your experiments into microgravity and test them before they go suborbital, at a much lower cost than you would normally do for a suborbital flight. Zero gravity is the first step to space tourism.

Carlos Fernandez de la Pena, vice president of Satellite Data and Services of Open Cosmos (offices in Spain and the UK), says: “This is the most important space event of the year if you want to connect with other space agencies. We manufacture small satellites and we use satellite data to provide services to final users. So we are showcasing our products and looking for space agencies who want to join our vision. As members we can share capacity and resources in order to step up in the space capabilities. We are planning to meet with members of the MBRSC during this event".