25 Students to Experience Zero-G Flight with CNES | Aerocontact.com

Twenty-five students have been selected to participate in a Zero-G flight experience with the Centre National d’Études Spatiales (CNES), the French space agency. The program, operated by CNES’s subsidiary Novespace, offers a unique opportunity to experience weightlessness through parabolic flights aboard the Airbus A310 Zero G aircraft.

The selection of these students marks another milestone for the long-running program, which began in 1988. Novespace, created in 1986, operates the A310 Zero G and is responsible for the overall organization, marketing, and operational planning of the flight campaigns, with maintenance handled by Sabena Technics.

Experiencing Weightlessness Through Parabolic Flight

The Airbus A310 Zero G simulates weightlessness by executing a series of parabolic arcs. During each parabola, passengers experience approximately 22 seconds of weightlessness. A typical flight campaign includes around 31 parabolas, with a total flight duration of approximately three hours. The aircraft’s cabin provides a 100 square meter area for conducting experiments.

This method of creating microgravity offers a cost-effective alternative to space travel for scientific research. Scientists utilize these flights to study a range of phenomena, including the behavior of the human body in weightlessness, fluid dynamics, and material science. The experiments conducted also serve as valuable preparation for equipment and systems intended for use in actual space missions.

A History of Zero-G Flights with CNES

CNES has a long history of providing access to microgravity environments. Prior to the A310 Zero G, Novespace operated an Airbus A300 Zero G, acquired in 2014, and before that, science campaigns were organized on a Caravelle Zero G at the Brétigny flight test center from 1986 to 1995. The program celebrated 30 years of parabolic flights in 2019, coinciding with a new livery for the A310 Zero G aircraft.

The first parabolic flight for scientific research using the A310 Zero G took place on May 5, 2015. In 2013, CNES created the AirZeroG brand to market zero-g flights to a wider audience. The program’s success is highlighted by the contribution of 250 young students as of March 10, 2025.

The principle behind creating weightlessness through parabolic flight is rooted in physics. As explained by ESA, the aircraft essentially ‘freefalls’ through the air, with gravity being the only force acting upon it. This creates a state of continuous freefall, similar to the experience of astronauts in orbit, where centrifugal force counteracts gravity. Albert Einstein’s thought experiment involving a sealed elevator in freefall illustrates that, without external references, it’s impossible to distinguish between freefall and floating in space.

Novespace and CNES Collaboration

Novespace, a subsidiary of CNES established in 1988, plays a crucial role in the Zero-G program. The company is responsible for outfitting and maintaining the aircraft, as well as managing the logistical and operational aspects of the flights. This collaboration between CNES and Novespace ensures the continued availability of this valuable resource for scientific research and educational opportunities.

Jean-François Clervoy, an astronaut and founder of Air Zero G, is also involved in the program, further highlighting the expertise and dedication behind these unique flight experiences.