A team of researchers from the Graphene Flagship academic and industrial partners in Belgium, the United Kingdom and Italy tested a graphene device in low gravity and hypergravity conditions, simulating a satellite launch. They did the experiment during several parabolic flights operated at the European Space Agency site in Bordeaux (France) in November and December. The tests showed the improved performance of the graphene device, so the Flagship will continue to develop it towards a commercial product. The experiment was also a unique opportunity for the researchers to experience weightlessness (watch this video of the flight experiment).
A group of researchers from the Graphene Flagship member Delft Technical University (The Netherlands) tested the application of graphene at the European Space Agency's ZARM Drop Tower in Bremen (Germany) in November. The test consisted in catapulting a graphene device up and down the 146 metre tower experimenting 9.3 seconds of weightlessness (watch this video of the drop experiment). The results showed the potential of graphene for space-propulsion and the team is now considering further tests to keep exploring this potential after this exciting experience.
Read more details on these two experiments in this Graphene Flagship press release.
See more detailed explanations of each experiment, videos and blogs from the researchers during the preparatory phase:
See also our web page about the Graphene Flagship.