Street Science Season 1 Episode 8 No Gravity, No Problem

In Street Science season 1 episode 8 titled "No Gravity, No Problem," host Kevin Delaney explores the science of space travel and the challenges that come with living and working in a zero-gravity environment.

To begin the episode, Kevin visits NASA's Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory in Houston, Texas, where astronauts train for missions in a massive swimming pool filled with over six million gallons of water. This unique training environment simulates the weightlessness of space and allows astronauts to practice spacewalks and other tasks required for missions to the International Space Station.

Kevin also meets with astronaut Nicole Stott to discuss the physical and psychological effects of living in space. Stott, who spent over 100 days in space during her time at NASA, explains how the lack of gravity can cause a variety of changes in the human body, from muscle loss to changes in vision.

Next, Kevin travels to Las Vegas to meet with the team behind Blue Origin, a spaceflight company founded by Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos. He learns about the company's plans for space tourism and sees firsthand the technology behind their reusable rockets.

In the episode's final experiment, Kevin and his team attempt to replicate the conditions of zero gravity in the lab. They use a specially designed drop tower to release a hammer and feather at the same time, as famously demonstrated by Apollo 15 astronaut David Scott on the moon. The team also tests a variety of objects, from a water balloon to a Rubik's cube, to see how they behave in a weightless environment.

Throughout "No Gravity, No Problem," Kevin explores the fascinating science behind space travel and the quest to overcome the challenges of living and working in zero gravity. From NASA's Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory to the cutting-edge technology of Blue Origin, viewers will gain a new appreciation for the incredible achievements of modern space exploration.