Microgravity Means and Methods

**3**

**Chapter 1**

**Abstract**

Methods

altered gravity environment.

**1. Space orbital environment**

Research in Microgravity in

Introduction to Means and

*Vladimir Pletser and Thais Russomano*

Physical and Life Sciences: An

Microgravity is the state encountered in a vehicle in free fall, whether on Earth, in low Earth orbit or in deep space. Microgravity research has opened up new possibilities for investigations in physical and life sciences that are necessary to enhance our knowledge of how physical systems and the human body, from cells to whole body systems, perform, react and function in microgravity, which will help prepare for the human exploration of outer space. This chapter presents an introduction of the microgravity environment, which can be obtained using different microgravity platforms, including space missions. Simulation of microgravity effects is also used for research and presented here. The chapter further considers the effects of microgravity on several aspects related to the physical sciences and on the adaptation of the human body to this

**Keywords:** microgravity research, microgravity platforms, microgravity simulation,

Space orbital environment is characterized by several factors that affect experiments in physical sciences and influence the good functioning of all living systems, from cells to humans. The main factors are weightlessness, high-energy radiations, vacuum and temperature differences. These last two factors are generally mitigated by the vehicle yielding the necessary life support to the systems under study. The

microgravity effects in physical sciences, human physiology

first two factors on the contrary cannot be completely compensated. The concept of weightlessness will be developed further.

and outer energetic electron belt at 13,000–60,000 km altitude).

Perfect protection against high-energy radiations cannot be completely achieved, unless thick shielding walls are installed all around the spacecraft, which is presently excluded in view of launch costs per kg. Nevertheless, a vehicle in low Earth orbit (a few hundred kilometers altitude) stays relatively protected by Earth's Van Allen radiation belts (inner energetic proton belt at 1,000–6,000 km altitude

## **Chapter 1**
