Zero gravity training for country's first space tourist

Kottayam, Aug 6 (UNI) Zero gravity training would be given to Santhosh George Kulangara, who would be the first Indian space tourist from the country, at Florida in United States, on August 11.

A globetrotter, Santhosh George said he would be leaving for Florida tomorrow morning via Mumbai and New York and reach Florida on August 8. He had to report there on August 9 for a preliminary health check-up and medication. Zero gravity training was a 5-hour training programme given to astronauts prior to their space trip.

A specially designed air craft is used for the training.

The training flight would be conducted from Kennedy Space Centre.

Zero gravity training would be given to eight to ten astronauts at a time, he said.

Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic Company is conducting the space tourism programme. The astronauts would fly to space on board Virgin Galactic's spaceship later.

Zero Gravity Corporation will be providing the training for astronauts. Training for the first batch was given in May, he said.

UNI