Photo: Blue Abyss

The commercial reality of parabolic flights launched from the United Kingdom is now one step closer with the news that Blue Abyss, and 0-G Launch have signed a memorandum of understanding to deliver on this promise. The two companies announced the MoU April 5. In the near future, people could be going to space from Cornwall in the U.K. as a result.

During the collaborative missions, Blue Abyss and 0-G Launch plan to use a specially modified Boeing 757 airframe to create micro, hypo and hyper-gravity environments, similar to what will be experienced by astronauts travelling to and visiting the Moon or Mars. The missions will be used to deliver spaceflight training, scientific and technology research flights, reduced gravity experiences, and discovery flights for the general public.

Missions will typically include 15 parabolas and be able to carry scientific payloads, or up to 50 passengers. The first flights are planned to begin in late 2023, around one year before the Blue Abyss UK extreme environment facility is planned to open.

“Aircraft parabolic flights are an incredibly useful tool to train astronauts and to allow future spaceflight participants and the general public to accustom themselves with space environments. I am very pleased that Blue Abyss and 0-G Launch joined their expertise to provide this unique service from Newquay Airport, the new gateway to space, the Moon and Mars,” Vladimir Pletser, Blue Abyss space operations training director, said in a statement.