NASA is giving undergraduate students an opportunity to test an experiment in weightless science as part of the its Reduced Gravity Education Flight Program.The program offers aspiring explorers a chance to propose, design and fabricate a reduced-gravity experiment. Selected teams will get to test and evaluate their experiment aboard a microgravity aircraft. The specially modified jet aircraft flies approximately 30 roller-coaster-like climbs and dips to produce periods of micro and hyper-gravity, ranging from weightlessness to three times the force of Earth’s gravity.
“This project gives students a head start in preparing for future ventures by allowing them to do hands-on research and engineering in a truly reduced gravity laboratory,” Program Manager Douglas Goforth said.
Proposals are due by Oct. 27, and interested teams should submit a letter of intent by Sept. 22. All applicants must be U.S. citizens. Full-time students must be at least 18 years old.
NASA will announce the selected participants Dec. 8, but the actual flights won’t take place until summer 2011.
