ZERO-G and Space Florida Develop Special Weightless Flight to Honor 50th Anniversary of Apollo Lunar Mission
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the iconic Apollo 11 lunar landing in 1969, Zero Gravity Corporation (ZERO-G) will partner with Space Florida to take fans of the cosmos where few have gone before. Taking off July 20 from Space Florida’s Launch and Landing Facility (formerly the NASA Shuttle Landing Facility) at the Cape Canaveral Spaceport, ZERO-G will offer Apollo enthusiasts the chance to join an elite group of individuals who have experienced weightlessness high above the earth’s surface.
To mark the exciting occasion, flyers will take off alongside former astronaut Dan Barry on ZERO-G’s specially modified Boeing 727, G-FORCE ONE®. Before retiring from NASA in 2005, Barry took part in several missions, including three space flights, four spacewalks and two trips to the International Space Station. During his time studying the stars, he received a variety of honors including two NASA Exceptional Service Medals.
“We are honored to help celebrate this huge moment in the history of space exploration,” said Terese Brewster, CEO of ZERO-G. “Advancements made by researchers on Apollo 11 allow us to continue to ask questions and learn about the world around us.”
Conjuring the curiosity of moon-bound astronauts in the past, the specialized anniversary flight will demonstrate the feeling of exploring the moon’s surface by recreating lunar gravity and allowing riders to float with the ease of carrying one-sixth their normal body weight.
Talented ZERO-G pilots will perform a series of parabolic arcs while flying in a FAA designated airspace. At the top of each arc, flyers will soar through the plane in a floating playground, perform effortless tricks and flips and share a world known only by a small fraction of the population. The flight will also include several zero gravity and Martian gravity parabolas.
The historic Apollo 11 program paved the way for future research and development and opened the door to boundless discovery. Taking place exactly 50 years after the spacecraft’s launch, the unique flight opportunity is as close to landing on the moon as fans can get.
“Space Florida is pleased to be a part of ZERO-G’s commemorative flight honoring the Apollo 11 lunar landing,” said Jimmy Moffitt, Airfield Manager at Space Florida’s Launch and Landing Facility. “This is a great opportunity to celebrate the achievements of human spaceflight and our State’s aerospace legacy, while looking toward the future of the Cape Canaveral Spaceport and industry partners like ZERO-G.”
A limited number of tickets for this exclusive flight are now on sale to the general public. For ticket and flight information, please visit. www.gozerog.com.
About ZERO-G
Zero Gravity Corporation is a privately held space entertainment and tourism company whose mission is to make the excitement and adventure of space accessible to the public. ZERO-G is the first and only FAA-approved provider of weightless flight in the U.S. for the general public; entertainment and film industries; corporate and incentive markets; non-profit research and education sectors; and the government. ZERO-G’s attention to detail, excellent service and quality of experience combined with its exciting history has set the foundation for the most exhilarating adventure-based tourism. For more information about ZERO-G, please visit www.gozerog.com.
About Space Florida
Space Florida was created to strengthen Florida’s position as the global leader in aerospace research, investment, exploration and commerce. As Florida’s aerospace and spaceport development authority, we are committed to attracting and expanding the next generation of space industry businesses. With its highly trained workforce, proven infrastructure and unparalleled record of achievement, Florida is the ideal location for aerospace businesses to thrive – and Space Florida is the perfect partner to help them succeed. www.spaceflorida.gov
