Astronomy & Space vocabulary · Astronauts & Human Spaceflight
Microgravity
Meaning in astronomy & space, with examples
/ˌmaɪkroʊˈɡrævəti/nounCommon term
In astronomy & space, microgravity means: The condition of near weightlessness that people and objects experience in orbit, where everything falls around Earth together and seems to float.
In Turkish: mikro kütleçekim, mikro yerçekimi
How it is used
The term space agencies prefer to 'zero gravity'. Scientists run microgravity experiments in biology, materials and fluids, and doctors study its effects on the body. Short periods of microgravity can also be created on parabolic flights.
Example sentences
In microgravity, water forms floating spheres instead of pouring.
Months in microgravity weaken astronauts' bones and muscles.
Common collocations
microgravity experiment
microgravity environment
in microgravity
microgravity research
Related terms
gravityThe force that pulls any two objects with mass towards each other. It keeps the planets in orbit around the Sun and keeps our feet on the ground.
space stationA large spacecraft that stays in orbit for years, where crews live and work for long periods and carry out experiments in microgravity.
astronautA person who is trained to travel and work in space on board a spacecraft or a space station.
spaceflightTravel into or through space by a spacecraft, with or without people on board. 'Human spaceflight' means missions that carry crews.
