Get ready for lift off, Texas, because a zero-gravity spaceflight is docking in the Texas capital for a one-of-a-kind interstellar experience. On March 20, Zero-G, “the world’s only FAA-certified provider of weightless flights”, will be available to the public in Austin.
With the recent crop of billionaires getting their kicks off space travel, one wondered when trickle down economics would kick in for the rest of us. While something more affordable could be possible on the distant horizon, for the small price of $8,200 + .5% tax, you could moonwalk sans gravity in a modified Boeing 727 at the Zero-G Experience in Austin.
As described on its website: “The Zero-G Experience is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to experience true weightlessness. It’s not a simulation – it’s real life, minus gravity.”
For the aforementioned price, space cadets can take a cruise in a modified Boeing 727. While the vessel flies in aerobatic patterns called parabolas, the environment inside becomes weightless, wherein which cadets aged 8 and over can “float, flip, and soar as if you were in space”. Emphasis on this note here: this is not a simulation.
Throughout the flight, that which will include 15 of these parabolic fly throughs, comprising of 20-30 seconds of weightlessness each, cadets will experience zero gravity as well as lunar gravity (1/6 of body weight) and martian gravity (1/3 of body weight).
The entire experience will last about five hours beginning at 9 am on March 20, allowing ample time for checking in, boarding, take-off, and the Zero-G Experience. All cadets must take a rapid COVID test at the facility when they arrive.
Each flier will also receive a Zero-G flight suit, Zero-G merchandise, a certificate of weightlessness completion, as well as photos and videos of the experience. Passengers must be at least 8 years old. Children flying under the age of 10 must be accompanied by an adult of legal guardian. Passengers are all encouraged to consult their physician beforehand.