Abstract
As microgravity experiments using the drop shaft, Japan Space Forum has offered the microgravity experiments opportunity since 1997 in the management of ``Announcement of Ground Research for Space Ulilization'' contracted to the National Space Development Agency of Japan. As the feature of microgravity experiments using drop shaft ◯High-quality and stable microgravity environment below 10－5 G can be achieved. (For about 4.5-10 seconds) ◯Experiments conditions can be changed easily. ◯Repeated experiments are possible about for 20 times a theme. For planning the experiment using drop shaft, different planning from other facilities is required. The experiment to make the most use of the advantage peculiar to this facility is also required.
Moreover, when harnessing these features in the maximum, we ask the investigators following consideration:
(a) Safety The safety check of the experiment equipment and samples carried into the capsule. (b) Intensity of experiment equipment The intensity check of the experiment equipment that bears the too heavy gravity acceleration generated in the braking zone. Now, the ground-based research activities on space utilization, ``2001 Research Solicitation for Research Themes of Utilization of International Space Station in the Fields of Life Science and Space Medicine'' are also performed. The importance of the microgravity experiment using the aircraft and the drop shaft facility has increased as a preliminary experiment. We expect the research theme through the ground-based research activities will advance to the theme using ``kibo'', and the interest of investigators towards space utilization will increase in future.
