Special to the Aroostook Republican
Benjamin Freedman, a native to Aroostook County, is quite the traveler. Though originally from Caribou, and an alumnus from the Maine School of Science and Mathematics, Freedman is currently working toward dual majors in both chemistry and biological engineering. He has spent the past few years studying in Orono, at the University of Maine. But his most recent experiences within engineering have taken him out of state, and as far away as Houston, Texas.
Contributed photo
As part of the flight crew, Benjamin Freedman, left, and three other teammates boarded NASA’s “Weightless Wonder”, or the appropriately nicknamed “Vomit Comet.” Freedman summed up this experience with one word – ‘wow.’
This past July, Freedman, along with some fellow students and faculty members, spent nearly two weeks at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. The team, led by senior John Wise, Jr., is comprised of six undergraduates from both USM and University of Maine, one graduate student, a senior staff member and two faculty members. Their mission while in Houston was to analyze and experiment on the effects of space travel to cellular function. While specifically looking at the cells’ responses to micro and hyper gravity, “the primary interest of the group was to eventually discern how moon dust would affect astronauts under the conditions of reduced gravity,” Freedman explained.
The team of 10 was split up into three predetermined groups to affectively execute the experiment. Pre-flight preparation was done back at the lab, while any last-minute changes and details were taken care of by the ground crew. The third group was responsible for the actual flight experience. As part of the flight crew, Freedman and three other teammates boarded NASA’s “Weightless Wonder”, or the appropriately nicknamed “Vomit Comet”.
Freedman summed up this experience with one word.
“Having flown in microgravity myself during this trip, I can really only describe it as ‘wow’. As the plane makes its downward arc, the forces pushing up on the body counteract those of gravity, giving a weightless equilibrium. With hardly any effort, I was floating around the cabin, still in my sitting position as I tried to remain still for the first few parabolas.”
Though they are still waiting on many of the tests results, the team is already compiling an “outreach PowerPoint” primarily geared towards high school students. “The presentation will include an overview of our experiment (and results), introduction to the NASA program we were involved in, some factoids about the physics of microgravity and motion sickness, and opportunities for students at the high school and college level,” Freedman said.
As far as future plans are concerned, Freedman and his teammates are waiting to hear back from the NASA proposal committee for a second trip next summer. If approved, the Microgravity Team will begin making logistical preparations. Though flight costs are provided, materials, travel and living expenses during the stay in Houston are not, and will need to be funded primarily through sponsors.
Companies and organizations interested in knowing more about sponsorship and funding opportunities can find information on the Microgravity University Web site at www.usm.maine.edu/toxicology/microgravityu/funding.php.
