Weightless Environment Training, or the facility where this occurs i.e. a weightless* environment tank or pool, is commonly abbreviated to the acronym WET. Weightless environment facilities include (effective) Zero-Gravity chambers and bodies of water or tanks sometimes refered to Neutral Bouyancy laboratories NBL or Neutral Buoyancy Test Facilities NBTL.
ALTEC NBTL Professional Visit
Advanced Logistics Technology Engineering Centre, Torino Italy | 2008
Dr. Sarah Jane Pell, Prof. Melchiorre Masali and Ms. Irene Schlacht were guests of the ALTEC Advanced Logistics Technology Engineering Centre in Torino Italy. The professional visit included a comprehensive overview of the ALTEC facility in relation to the types of infrastructural, logistical, strategic and operational supports and services provided by the centre. It was most useful to have some background on the formation of ALTEC, their partners and customers, core business and future interests. Special thanks to Alessandro Bellomo and his staff for a tour of 'their baby': the Neutral Buoyancy Test Facility. I am sure my colleagues would agree that the capabilities of the NBTF - including the WET facilities, mission support centre controls and human resources were equally impressive. The scope for space-related and non-specific space but related applications and laboratories are numerous. (Indeed, I look forward to developing future applications and mission-related proposals with you in this area.)
ALTEC, Neutral Buoyancy Test Facility | Torino Italy | 2008
In the afternoon, we valued the opportunity to see various presentations in greater detail and to exchange an introduction to our own research areas: Extreme Design; Physical Anthropology: and Aquabatics: underwater analogue performance art. We were delighted to be joined by Mr. Armando Ciampolini and Mr. Mario Benassai who were able to share in the open forum of discussions and describe some of the future philosophies and activities central to the advancement of the space sector - particularly the human-related space sector - and the role of ALTEC with respect to this.
In summary, it was a privileged and a pleasure to meet with you all and we trust this is a beginning of many future conversations and linkages.
Neutral Buoyancy EVA Simulation
ISU SSP06 Life Sciences Dept, Alcase Fire Dept Training Centre, France 2006
Simulated requirements particular to a Hubble Repair mission were planned. Various astronaut crews ventured into the aqueous weightless environment to "fix the problem" to which a number of unplanned challenges occurred requiring effective communication, problem solving and teamwork to ensure the EVA was successfully completed and ‘with in good time’. Our team won!
A LifeScience Dept activity led by Sheryl Bishop, Ph.D. (Assoc. Prof, Social Psychologist, University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston & Curriculum Director, Life Sciences faculty ISU) at the Summer Session Program at the International Space University, Strasbourg 2006.
weightless environment training
*"To be strictly accurate, the word 'weightless' should always be printed in inverted commas when used to describe people or things floating around inside a spacecraft. Most people know in gernal terms what 'weightlessness' is, but it is a state which, to be accurate, is unlikely to be achieved." [1] This is certainly the case underwater since the (effective) lack of gravity is a relative, omnidirectional positive pressure at depth.
[1] Sharmen, H. & Priest, C. (1993) Seize the Moment. The autobiography of Helen Sharman, London: Victor Gollancz, p 37
