Zero-gravity flights onboard Ilyushin-76 MDK

Weightlessness is considered one of the main specific features of the space flight. Everyone can imagine a cosmonaut floating in weightlessness onboard the orbital station.

In weightlessness “up” and “down” become rather relative, perception of environment is different, well-known physical laws are given a new meaning. You can “stand” on the ceiling, get pushed away and fly any direction like a superhero from the movie, and spin around in air. If you let things go, they don’t fall and start “floating” in air. Splashed water forms water balls and floats like soap-bubbles.

Almost everyone has ever thought about floating in weightlessness and wanted this dream to come true. But all of us are prisoners of gravity, and only cosmonauts can experience how real weightlessness feels like.

Zero-gravity flight onboard Ilyushin-76 MDK

When preparing for the space mission, cosmonauts have long-term training on Earth. During the training the crew members assigned for next missions are prepared for weightlessness — it is essential to realize even before launch what you will face during the space flight. Custom-built plane Ilyushin-76 MDK flying in accordance with a specific plan is used to simulate zero-gravity. Future cosmonauts learn how to move and work in zero-gravity onboard this unique plane.

But now zero-gravity flights onboard Ilyushin-76 MDK are available for tourists, not only for cosmonauts. Hundreds of people from different countries worldwide made their dream come true and under the supervision of instructors from Star City got to feel like cosmonauts in real zero-gravity visiting one of the airbases in Moscow region instead of Earth orbit.

Zero-gravity flight: how it works

In order to simulate zero-gravity onboard the plane Ilyushin-76 MDK there follows a specific flight profile called “parabolic” flight. Briefly, it means the plane flies straight at the altitude of 6 km, and then sharply gains altitude to 9 km by steep ascent at 45° angle. At a moment it reaches maximum altitude, the pilot reduces engine thrust, and the plane begins steep descent making a parabolic maneuver in sky. At a moment the plane gets over a peak of this parabola, people onboard experience zero-gravity that lasts for 25-30 seconds. Then steep descent — and next parabola: during standard flight people experience zero-gravity 10-15 times.

In addition to zero-gravity, tourists will get to experience another “space” thing onboard Ilyushin-76 MDK — g-load of to 2g that occurs at a moment of steep ascent. Feel yourself twice heavier for a short moment!

Experienced instructors of Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center who let dozens of space crews feel zero-gravity assist tourists and ensure flight safety.

The entire zero-gravity flight from take-off till landing takes about 1.5 hour. Prior to flight all participants must go through medical examination and safety briefing.

Though Ilyushin-76 MDK is a huge plane designed based on Ilyushin-76 heavy transport plane, the number of participants of zero-gravity flight is restricted to 14 people. Tourists won’t be sitting in their seats like when flying with a typical commercial airline — they will be floating around the wide cargo compartment of the plane. For this reason, in order to make everyone feel safe and comfortable there should be a lot of room.

Zero-G flight: how to participate

Since the program is rather exclusive, and the flight schedule of the plane for cosmonaut training must be taken into account, zero-gravity flights do not take place on any day. As a rule, the flight date is announced 1-2 month in advance, and participants begin submitting their applications.

One day prior to zero-gravity flight a group of tourists arrives at Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Moscow region for the flight briefing, medical examination, meeting with instructors, and gets a big picture about the upcoming zero-gravity flight.

On the flight day in the morning participants get together at the meeting point and depart to the airbase. When onboard tourists have a safety briefing and get instructions on behavior onboard the plane followed by take-off and 1.5 hour of the most exciting adventures of a lifetime! As soon as flight is complete everyone gets personal certificate.

Digital cameras installed onboard the plane keep continuous recording during the entire flight. A professional photographer and a videographer get onboard with the group — you will have great things to share with your friends and family after the flight!

Apply for zero-gravity flight

Zero-gravity flight price

When participating as a part of a group, price for zero-gravity flight is 5000 Euro per person.

It is also possible to pay for the whole plane and make an individual flight on the predetermined date. Our specialists will assist you in arrangement of this particular option of flight.