-----Original Message-----From: The Arts Catalyst [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Tuesday, June 19, 2001 10:48 PM
To: Undisclosed Recipients
Subject: ZERO GRAVITY - Invitation to make a Proposal (Scientists)
ZERO GRAVITY
Invitation to make a Proposal (Scientists) - DEADLINE 20 July 2001
(Apologies for any cross-posting or if this email does not relate to your
discipline. This email should be going to you because of your previous
contact with Arts Catalyst or because you have been recommended to us. If
you no longer wish to receive emails from us, please reply to this, putting
'Remove' in the subject line.)
The Arts Catalyst, the science-art agency, invites proposals from scientists
in any discipline for experiments in microgravity or for projects intended
to promote public understanding of science on a 'parabolic flight' (diving
aircraft) with the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre, Star City,
Russia, probably in late September 2001.
This is a pilot project for the MIR (Microgravity Interdisciplinary
Research) network, a group of international arts organisations working to
encourage interdisciplinary exchange between artists and scientists and to
promote arts and cultural activity as part of the international space
programme. The project is funded by the UK National Lottery through London
Arts and the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation - Arts Department. The flight
is being organised in collaboration with Projekt Atol Flight Operations,
Slovenia.
This is a one-off flight, comprising about 15 parabolas, each parabola
having between 25 - 30 seconds of microgravity. Successful proposals will
be allocated space on the flight free of charge, but investigators will have
to cover their own travel costs, accommodation and expenses and provide
their own experimental hardware.
We are primarily looking for participants who welcome the opportunity for
interdisciplinary exchange and will contribute to the overall spirit of the
undertaking. This invitation is going out to scientists who have been in
touch with Arts Catalyst in the past or who have been recommended to us. If
there is someone whom you think would be interested in this opportunity,
please let us know their contact details.
We particularly encourage proposals for experiments at an early stage of
development, which might not be suitable for the parabolic flight science
programmes of other international space agencies.
Details of the Opportunity
The Russian Federation is a nation with a large space programme. To carry
out this programme it is necessary to train cosmonauts in real conditions of
space flight - zero gravity. To achieve zero gravity in earth conditions,
the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre uses the flight of a special
flying laboratory on a parabolic trajectory. They have extensive experience
of these flights. The IL-76 MDK is a very large aircraft specially adapted
for parabolic flight.
A parabolic flight with the Yuri Gagarin Centre will enable a group of up to
4 London artists, 2 Russian artists and 3 scientists to experience and
undertake projects in weightlessness.
We plan to go to Moscow in late September 2001, staying for 5 - 6 days.
During this time, London artists, Russian artists and scientists will
socialise, eat meals and plan together. We will have at least 1 day in Star
City (near Moscow) ahead of the flight day to discuss our plans with the
Zero-G team and to set up the aircraft.
For those scientists selected to go on the flight, Arts Catalyst will have
the option to present the research findings and original proposal alongside
the artists' work, both in the UK and internationally.
Unlike many previous Arts Catalyst projects, proposed projects do NOT need
to involve collaboration with an artist. Scientists will undertake their
own research on the flight alongside artists. However, this project has the
aim of encouraging interdisciplinary dialogue and exchange through this
intense, shared experience and applicants are expected to respond to this
aim in their application.
How to Apply
Please send an outline proposal (three copies) by
20 July 2001.
It would be useful to know if you intend to submit a proposal as soon as
possible.
Proposals are to be sent to:
The Arts Catalyst
Toynbee Studios
28 Commercial Street
London E1 6LS
Please note that the Arts Catalyst cannot financially cover the work of
selected experimenters. Arts Catalyst covers the costs associated with the
organisation of the flight. Investigator-related costs are the
responsibility of the selected investigator.
The proposal, which should be no more than 2000 words, should include:
1. Names and contacts for the principal investigator and names and any
co-investigators
2. One or two project titles: one for the lay person, one intelligible to
the scientifically literate reader if different from the former
3. A brief summary of the application, stating the objectives of the
proposed work and the research method
4. A statement of why the investigator/s are interested in taking part in an
interdisciplinary art-science research trip (knowledge of the contemporary
arts is not a requirement)
5. A description of the project
6. Brief biographies of the investigators
7. The equipment for the proposed project
The evaluation of each proposal will be based on the following factors:
? Scientific value (if relevant) or Educational value (if relevant)
? Probability of achievements
? The investigators' potential benefit from and contribution to an
interdisciplinary research trip
? The balance of art and science projects that can best be undertaken
alongside each other.
If necessary, interviews of shortlist will be held during late July.
Further Information for Applicants
Description of a Parabolic Flight
A parabolic flight creates the conditions of microgravity - otherwise only
experienced for any length of time in orbit or space travel - by putting an
aircraft into a series of diving manoeuvres. They are undertaken by a
handful of space agencies around the world specifically for
astronaut/cosmonaut training and scientific experiments.
A block of air space between 6000 and 10000 metres is needed. The aircraft
follows a precisely-calculated flight path that almost exactly matches the
parabolic curve traced out by any object falling freely - a thrown stone,
for example. While it is on that parabolic trajectory, the aircraft and
everything inside it - people and objects - are weightless.
Since aeroplanes are not usually designed to behave like free-falling rocks,
the whole procedure requires some very accurate flying. The pilot first
brings the aircraft to near-maximum speed - more than 800 km/h - in level
flight. Next, they haul the machine into a gut-churning 45-degree climb,
and throttle back the engines to provide just enough power to match air
resistance. Nudging the flight controls as required, the pilot lets the
aircraft "free-fall" for around 2,000 metres, over the top of the parabolic
curve and down again to its starting altitude. Then they put full power back
on and pull the machine abruptly from its dive back into level flight.
During the 25 - 30 seconds between climb and pull-out, weightlessness is
experienced and everything floats around freely in the aircraft. The number
of parabolas on a single flight may be between 10 and 30. We are planning
15 parabolas for our flight. During the fierce accelerations when the
aircraft climbs into and pulls out of a parabola, apparent gravity is
doubled. This means your weight doubles. The transitions between 2G
(double gravity) and 0G (weightlessness) are swift.
The flight can be very hard on stomachs - nausea and sickness are common -
and weightlessness can be disorientating. A letter from your doctor stating
that you are fit to undertake this activity and an ECG print-out will be
required. The Yuri Gagarin Centre and the Arts Catalyst have the right to
stop any individual from flying or to stop the flight at any point. No
compensation for costs incurred will be forthcoming in this eventuality.
************************************************************************************
Distributed through Cyber-Society-Live [CSL]: CSL is a moderated discussion
list made up of people who are interested in the interdisciplinary academic
study of Cyber Society in all its manifestations.To join the list please visit:
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/cyber-society-live.html
*************************************************************************************
|
