The Carthage Microgravity Team traveled to the Johnson Space Center to conduct experiments for NASA.While in Houston, physics students met NASA astronaut Sandy Magnus.They conducted experiments aboard NASA's Weightless Wonder.The Weightless Wonder flies a series of parabolas that simulate lunar, Martian and zero gravity.The 2009 Microgravity Team studied the dynamic angle of repose in lunar gravity.They designed and built a device to rotate drums of lunar dust simuli.Team members work to assemble their experiment equipment at the Johnson Space Center.The experiment was part of NASA's Systems Engineering Educational Discovery program.
Physics & Astronomy

Microgravity Program

Physics students at Carthage have the opportunity to conduct significant research for NASA and have twice flown aboard NASA's microgravity aircraft, the Weightless Wonder. The plane flies a series of rollercoaster-like dips and climbs over the Gulf of Mexico, simulating zero gravity, lunar gravity and Martian gravity.

"It's like nothing you've ever experienced before," said Brad Frye, '10, who flew on the Weightless Wonder in 2009 with five other Carthage students and Prof. Kevin Crosby. "It's amazing."

Carthage's Microgravity Team competes every year for a spot in NASA's Systems Engineering Educational Discovery program. SEED pairs a NASA researcher with student-faculty teams. Teams design and build experiments in support of NASA's mission to return astronauts to the moon.

The Carthage Microgravity Team was selected for SEED in 2008 and 2009, joining nine other colleges at the Johnson Space Center. The 2008 team studied the efficiency of lunar dust filtration systems, essential to astronaut health. The 2009 team measured the dynamic angle of repose of lunar soil in lunar gravity and a vacuum.

Carthage's participation in the SEED program is made possible by funding from Carthage College and from the Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium. Participation is open to engineering and physics students with an interest in mechanical, electrical and computer engineering. (Read more information on eligibility.

Read more about the Microgravity Program at Carthage:

Team Reports
Outreach Efforts
Team Members
Recruiting/Get Involved

Student Blogs

See photos, watch videos and read student reflections.
Vomit Comet 2009
Carthage Reduced Gravity Team 2009

About the Microgravity Program

Flying High

This video was taken by Carthage Microgravity Team member Joe Monegato during a flight aboard NASA's Weightless Wonder. Read student reflections.

Weightless Wonder

image

Physics students fly high in NASA Microgravity Program.

Student Voices

What is it like to study physics at Carthage? Hear from physics students.