On this day in space! July 27, 1962: The 1st zero-g cosmonaut training flight took off on a Soviet jetliner

On July 27, 1962, a groundbreaking experiment occurred as two Soviet cosmonauts undertook their initial zero-gravity training session aboard a Tupolev Tu-134 jetliner near Moscow. This historic flight utilized the aircraft’s low-altitude capabilities to simulate conditions of weightlessness for approximately 28 minutes. The purpose was to prepare them for future missions in spacecraft, specifically focusing on adapting to the challenges of operating in a microgravity environment. During this test, the cosmonauts performed various tasks while experiencing reduced gravity, including maneuvering within the cabin and conducting experiments. This event marked a crucial step in the development of human spaceflight by providing valuable data regarding physiological responses to prolonged periods of weightlessness.