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Perhaps this website poses a most significant question. What is microgravity and why is it important? In orbital spacecraft, like the International Space Station, some of the effects of gravity are reduced. This state creates a near weightless environment known as microgravity. This environment is a result of being in orbit, which is a state of continuous free fall around Earth. Free fall occurs when an object falls toward Earth. The microgravity environment simplifies certain biological and physical properties and processes, allowing scientists to understand them better and making them simpler to model. Scientists then can observe and explore phenomena and processes that normally are masked by the effects of Earth's gravity. The microgravity environment provides the basis for a unique laboratory in which scientists can investigate the three fundamental states of matter: solid, liquid and gas. NASA researchers use four types of platforms to create microgravity environments: drop facilities, parabolic aircraft, sounding rockets and orbiting spacecraft. Use the resources on this site to learn about NASA's microgravity laboratories on Earth and on the International Space Station.

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