Drop Towers for Fun and Research

Abstract

Microgravity is the apparent weightlessness that occurs during freefall – it affects objects orbiting the Earth, which is why astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) float. Due to this, experiments and technologies that are sent to the ISS needs to function properly in the microgravity environment. There are only a few ways for scientists and engineers to test in such an environment on Earth and one way is with drop tower facilities. On top of being used for research, drop towers can also be used as a tool for educational outreach. The Drop Towers for Fun and Research website was created as a natural extension of that outreach. It can be used as a tool for teaching the public about drop towers including what drop towers are, what they are used for, and why they are important for microgravity research. Additionally, there will be videos that help answer these questions and that show actual experiments from past drop tower experiments. There will also be a section that highlight Drop Tower used in amusement parks for fun. It is our hope this site will be able to educate the public on drop towers and show them drop tower that they can be used for both fun and research.