Novespace

A flying laboratory for brief microgravity experiments

Novespace operates the Airbus A310 ZERO-G as a flying laboratory for microgravity research. During a parabolic flight, the aircraft follows repeated climb-and-descent trajectories that create brief weightless periods, allowing teams to run experiments and observe equipment or materials in conditions that cannot be replicated on the ground. The company is a subsidiary of France’s space agency, CNES, and provides an established research platform.

Research teams and commercial technology developers use the flights to test experiments, hardware, materials and biological or medical studies before committing to spaceflight. Novespace provides the aircraft and flight campaign; researchers can conduct their work onboard during the microgravity intervals.