Weightlessness

Weightlessness is the state of not experiencing the effects of gravity. Most people assume there is only weightlessness in a no gravity situation such as on the space shuttle. But what most people don't realize, if you are in a state of freefall you experience weightlessness. You are in a freefall skydiving, on a rollercoaster at an amusement park, or when NASA trains astronauts. When riding a roller coaster, there are times when you experience …

…NASA incorporates weightlessness training programs. One such program is nicknamed the "vomit comet." This is an airplane, the KC-135, which allows the astronauts to experience weightlessness for 30 second intervals. The plane flies in a series of parabolic patterns. This was first done in July of 1978 by Guion S. Bluford. Another way they experience weightlessness is in a simulator. Although they don't physically experience weightlessness, they learn to maneuver the space craft in a weightless environment.