Re­search un­der Space Con­di­tions

NASA/ESA

From simple physical to complex biological systems – gravity influences many processes on our planet. This is why gravity’s significance for many elementary scientific phenomena, as well as for the growth and development of organisms, can only be researched in microgravity. Furthermore, under the hostile conditions of space – such as extreme temperature fluctuations, short-wave UV and cosmic radiation and the ultra-high vacuum – fundamental questions about the origin, development and expansion of life can be answered.

Research Platforms

In research under space conditions, experiments are carried out in microgravity, among other things. Various platforms with different scientific requirements are available for this purpose. Periods of microgravity can last from around nine seconds (using the drop tower), 22 seconds (during parabolic flight) up to several minutes (with research rockets) and even several weeks (on the International Space Station).