Human Space Technology Initiative
Zero-Gravity Instrument Project (ZGIP)
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Announcement of Opportunity for the UN-HSTI "Zero-Gravity Instrument Project (ZGIP)" [Deadline for Application: 31 May 2013]
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What is Microgravity ?! Clinostat - A tool for microgravity education and research
HSTI is carrying out science activities aimed at contributing to promoting space education and research in microgravity around the world, particularly for enhancing capacity-building efforts in developing countries.
The "Zero-gravity Instrument Project (ZGIP)" will provide unique opportunities for students and researchers to study the gravitational effects on samples, such as plant seeds and small organisms, in a simulated microgravity condition with hands-on learning in classroom or research activities conducted by each institution. Under this Project, as the first series of activities, a fixed number of microgravity simulation instruments - called Clinostats - will be distributed free of charge to qualified schools, universities, research centers and institutes around the world.
ZGIP is aimed at motivating research institutions to invest in activities in space and microgravity research and fostering a global network of participating institutions in this field. ZGIP also expects to create a dataset of experimental results in gravity responses that could contribute to the design of future space experiments and to the advancement of microgravity research.
The first set of instruments to be distributed is a one-axis clinostat that simulates certain aspects of microgravity on the ground in a cost-effective manner. Selected applicants who will receive the instrument are expected to conduct experiments with plant seedling or other objects they suggest, indigenous to their region.
The Announcement of Opportunity for ZGIP is available from the following link:
Reference for researchers:
- Herranz, et al. (2013) Ground-Based Facilities for Simulation of Microgravity: Organism-Specific Recommendations for Their Use, and Recommended Terminology (Astrobiorogy, Vol. 13, No. 1, 2013)