Brushing up: Microgravity

May 1, 2001
Gravity, the attractive force between two masses, keeps us oriented in more ways than one. Without gravitational influences

Gravity, the attractive force between two masses, keeps us oriented in more ways than one. Without gravitational influences, we’d barely be able to recognize our world, let alone function in it.

Sometimes gravity gets in the way, however, blinding us to how things actually work. Even our mechanical aptitude possesses a certain near-sightedness; we understand things based on the way they behave in the Earth’s gravitational field, and that, only at the surface.

To peel away the cloak of gravity and isolate some of the more fundamental properties, forces, and processes of nature, scientists create a condition called “microgravity.”

Microgravity is relative rather than absolute. It’s created by free-fall; the entire experiment accelerates at 1g, nullifying the effect of Earth’s gravity. Otherwise, you’d have to travel almost 17 times farther than the Moon, or 6.37 million km, to reach a point in space where gravity is one-millionth of that on Earth’s surface.

By conducting experiments in microgravity, researchers hope to uncover new information previously masked by the effects of Earth’s gravitational field. Primary areas of investigation range from fundamental and fluid physics to biotechnology, combustion science, and materials science. NASA even hopes to test Einstein’s theory of general relativity and Newton’s law of gravity.

Sponsored Recommendations

June 27, 2025
Ensure workplace safety and compliance with our comprehensive Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) Safety Training course. Learn critical procedures to prevent serious injuries.
June 27, 2025
Join our expert webinar to discover essential safety control measures and best practices for engineering a truly safe and compliant industrial environment.
June 25, 2025
An innovative aircraft with electric drives combines the best of both worlds. The cross between drone and helicopter could mean significantly faster and more efficient air emergency...
June 25, 2025
Effective when other materials fail, ceramics are particularly suitable for applications requiring wear and chemical resistance, sliding characteristics or biocompatibility. Discover...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Machine Design, create an account today!