First Commercial Parabolic Flight Takes Place in Europe

Karin Nilsdotter and Carina Johnsson float in microgravity. (Credit: Spaceport Sweden)

By Karin Nilsdotter
Spaceport Sweden
Congratulations to the SXC astronauts that successfully completed their first air ZeroG flight on Friday 15th of March. This was the first ever commercial public flight in Europe arranged by Avico and Novespace and offered through Spaceport Sweden’s space adventures and astronaut training program in collaboration with SXC. We look forward to many more missions offering the unique sensation of weightlessness under the instructions of ESA astronaut Jean-Francois Clervoy.

Novespace weightless flights, also called parabolic flights, takes place on board a specially equipped Airbus 300 and starts from Bordeaux Merignac Airport in France. The flights have for many years been used in scientific and research purposes, and until now, been out of reach for space enthusiasts who dreamed of floating weightless like an astronaut.

Spaceport Sweden staff members with SXC customers. (Credit: Spaceport Sweden)

The day before the flight, we dress-rehearsed and celebrated this milestone together with our partners and organizers Avico, Novespace and former ESA astronaut Jean-Francois Clervoy. On board we also had an experiment from the very talented students at the Space high school in Kiruna.

Tickets are limited this year to 120, and each flight takes 40 passengers in four groups in separate zones which can accommodate 10 passengers and instructor. Jean-François Clervoy, former ESA astronaut featured on all flights instructor and communicates his experiences as an astronaut.