UNIS/OS/583
31 May 2023

UNOOSA and ESA open new round of applications to conduct hypergravity experiments

VIENNA, 31 May (UN Information Service) — The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA) have opened the third round of applications for the Fellowship Programme on the Large Diameter Centrifuge Facility Hypergravity Experiment Series (HyperGES).

HyperGES is part of the Hypergravity/Microgravity track of UNOOSA’s Access to Space for All initiative which enables communities from all over the world to use and benefit from space technologies and applications. HyperGES provides selected research teams access to ESA’s Large Diameter Centrifuge (LDC) facility where they can conduct hypergravity experiments.

Centrifuges are the only practical method to generate hypergravity and the LDC is one of the only facilities with this unique environment. The LDC allows a full range of gravity levels which are beneficial for various science and technological experiments that can support acquiring knowledge and skills necessary for future space activities. Three awardees have been selected since HyperGES began in 2019 and are developing their experiments to be tested in the LDC this year. 

Applications for the opportunity are now open on UNOOSA’s HyperGES Rounds web page until 12 November 2023.

Acting Director of UNOOSA Niklas Hedman said: "Hypergravity experiments unlock insights into diverse scientific and technological domains and the LDC is a unique facility that opens up these possibilities. HyperGES is a great opportunity for capacity-building in research and development related to space activities and I hope that teams globally will utilize HyperGES for their benefit. I am grateful to ESA for supporting the initiative and look forward to what this round will bring for HyperGES."

ESA Director of Technology, Engineering and Quality and Head of ESA's European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) Dietmar Pilz said: “I am pleased to witness the continuation of the HyperG Experiment Series and the strong interest by international research groups to utilize ESA’s Large Diameter Facility. The unique LDC offers vast experimentation opportunities, so we will be fascinated to see the many new ideas for testing. ESA appreciates the collaboration with UNOOSA in its Access to Space for All Initiative and the possibilities it creates for the rest of the world.  We are very much looking forward to hosting the awardees of the HyperGES opportunity here at ESTEC.”

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For more information, please contact:

Access to Space for All initiative Team
United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA)
Email: unoosa-access-to-space[at]un.org