PARIS, June 10 (UPI) -- The European Space Agency says it is starting a program that offers university students the chance to fly experiments in microgravity.
The program -- called "Fly Your Thesis! -- An Astronaut Experience" -- allows European students to participate in a series of parabolic flights on an Airbus A300 Zero-G aircraft.
Each team of students must design a scientific experiment to be performed in microgravity as part of a Masters, Ph.D. or research program, the ESA said.
About 20 teams will be selected to present their projects to a review board during a dedicated workshop to be held at the ESA's European Space Technology and Research Center in Noordwijk, the Netherlands.
After the workshop, three or four teams will be selected to further develop and accompany their experiments on the aircraft for three flights of 30 parabolas -- experiencing about 20 seconds of microgravity during each parabola.
The ESA will offer financial support to cover part of the cost of the experiments, necessary travel and accommodations and participation in a conference.
Proposals must be submitted by Aug. 31. Additional information is available at http://www.esa.int/esaED/SEMVSRUG3HF_index_0.html.
