Cosmonaut
profession is probably the most romantic as much as dangerous and difficult. Becoming
a cosmonaut or astronaut is not that easy – it takes years to master new skills
and information and to meet requirements. In September we wrote about a unique
place which astronauts and cosmonauts pass their trainings to be ready to
proceed to the ISS - Star City, which could be called a “University for cosmonauts”.
During a
training course which can last up to several years a candidate has to practice certain drills. One of such is a Zero Gravity flight – an obligatory element of
cosmonaut training. During the first stage of a drill candidates get used to
weightlessness, learn how to behave themselves in a complete absence of weight,
how to enter and leave a state of Zero Gravity without harm to their body. On
the second stage they learn to perform some basic moves and operations in
weightlessness and to test equipment.
If you
ever dreamt to become a cosmonaut or astronaut, you now have unique opportunity
to join Zero Gravity flight as it is available not only for successful
candidates but also to ordinary tourists! You may wonder where, apart from the
space itself, one can train like a real cosmonaut? The answer will amaze you:
these drills are conducted on Earth, in the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training center in Star City, which is not far from Moscow. This place is the only one in Russia, where you can
participate in real cosmonaut training in Zero Gravity.
The second
question you may wonder is “How is this possible?”. The answer may also
surprise you because of its simplicity. Weightlessness is simulated onboard a Russian laboratory plane IL-76 MDK, designed in 1988 especially for
drills in Zero Gravity. The IL-76 MDK takes off, climbs to a “regular” altitude
of 6,5 kilometers then starts to rise from 6,5 to 9,5 kilometers. When the aircraft
reaches this altitude, it immediately begins to descend down, back to 6,5
kilometers. At the moment when a plane is about to come close to the 9,5
altitude and some time after it began its descend, Zero Gravity mode turns on
aboard IL-76 plane.
Participants
of the Zero G flight spend from 25 to 28 seconds in a complete weightlessness.
During the whole flight which lasts for 1,5 hours, overall time when Zero
Gravity mode is on estimates almost 5 minutes.
During the
flight you can “test” weightlessness however you want: walk or stand still on
the ceiling, spin around, fly all through the salon of the Il-76 plane or do
the thing: spill a water while in Zero Gravity and try to drink it! An IL-76 aircraft
is covered with a special soft material, so you won’t get hurt during your
flight. You can check how others enjoyed their Zero G flight.
Our closest
flight is scheduled on 21-22nd of November. To book a Zero Gravity
flight, please contact us via email: jet@tour-space.com or adventure@tour-space.com.
