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'Try Zero-G' From JAXA Totally Unlike SciFi Movies
Astronaut Koichi Wakata was challenged by the Japanese public to carry out a wide variety of interesting space experiments. Take a look at this video, which is part of the Try Zero-G campaign by JAXA, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.
(Try Zero-G by JAXA)
Personally, I really liked the part where he tries to "swim" with a piece of stiff cardboard in each hand.
Besides being a cool video, it really got me thinking about the way that life aboard space ships is shot in scifi movies and television shows.
As I'm sure you're aware, it's just much cheaper to avoid the whole subject of "zero-g" (or free-fall, if you're in orbit). Once you've seen what actual zero-g maneuvers look like, you simply aren't satisfied by special effects done with real people.
When I try to think of movies that depicted people moving in zero-g, it's a pretty short list. Arthur C. Clarke tried to depict it in 2001: A Space Odyssey and in the sequel 2010... and I'm already running out of examples.
Perhaps readers can help.
Video courtesy of Pink Tentacle.
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 6/11/2009)
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