What do people feel in a zero-gravity environment?

Question

Does it feel like falling endlessly, or like being on a roller coaster?

Answer 1

There is a fantastic video on this made in the 70s called "Physical Science - Freefall".

In it, a man jumps off a diving board holding a mass on a spring balance. As he is in freefall, the balance indicates zero. The mass and balance fall next to each other, and do not exert a force on each other.

So being in freefall (with no effects of air resistance, i.e. constantly accelerating at 9.8 m/s^2) is the same sensation as being in zero-gravity. Inside your body, your diaphragm is in freefall away from your stomach. This is what gives rise to the funny-tummy feeling when in weightless or lower weight situations, like travelling quickly over a hump-back bridge.

Do look out the video if you can! I have a digital copy, but cannot upload it anywhere as it is still in copyright.

Cheers,
Ben

Answer 2

By definition the low-gravity (no such thing as 0 gravity, really) of space is a free-fall environment. You and the orbiting spacecraft are in free-fall around the earth at the same outrageous speed. A roller coaster at the top of a fast loop might give you temporary weightlessness and mimic freefall...but some of those new rides that simply drop do that too.

Answer 3

Nauseous, I'd imagine. It would feel exactly like being in free fall, only with no wind rushing past you. A roller coaster is a good analogy.

Answer 4

You would not feel like you're falling, it would be more like a rollercoaster.

If you've ever been on a trampoline, it would be the same feeling as when you're at the top of each jump.

Or the same as being in a fast car going over a hump in the road.

Something like Skydiving is a different sensation.