This book has been prepared under the auspice of the European Low Gravity Research Association (ELGRA). The book covers ground-based research instruments and environments for both life and physical sciences research.

Daniel A. Beysens, Jack J.W. A. van Loon

Preface List of Contributors List of Figures List of Tables List of Abbreviations Introduction 1. The Space Environment 1 The Space Gravity Environment 2 Cosmos: Violent and Hostile Environment 3 Radiation, SpaceWeather 4 Interstellar Chemistry 5 Celestial Bodies 2. Facilities to AlterWeight 6 Drop Towers 7 Parabolic Flights 8 Magnetic Levitation 9 Electric Fields 10 The Plateau Method 11 Centrifuges 3. Facilities to Mimic Micro-Gravity Effects 12 Animals: Unloading, Casting 13 Human: Bed Rest/Head-Down-Tilt/ Hypokinesia 14 Clinostats and Other Rotating Systems-Design, Function, and Limitations 15 Vibrations 4. Other Environment Parameters 16 Earth Analogues 17 Isolated and Confined Environments 5. Current Research in Physical Sciences 18 Fundamental Physics 19 Fluid Physics 20 Combustion 21 Materials Science 6. Current Research in Life Sciences 22 Microbiology/Astrobiology 23 Gravitational Cell Biology 24 Growing Plants under Generated Extra-Terrestrial Environments: Effects of Altered Gravity and Radiation 25 Human Systems Physiology 26 Behavior, Confinement, and Isolation Conclusions Index Editor's Biographies