A concept for a European human rated microgravity and partial gravity research and testing facility

Currently, the global space sector is undergoing a transformative shift, driven by the increasing involvement of private companies in activities traditionally dominated by governmental space agencies. At the same time, large space agencies are planning pioneering space missions, including lunar bases and human exploration of Mars. This rapid evolution further amplifies the need for advanced microgravity research facilities to address the technological and biomedical challenges to come. In Europe, existing microgravity platforms–specifically drop towers, parabolic flights, sounding rockets, and orbiting spacecraft–provide essential research opportunities, but suffer from limited accessibility, high costs, and low repeatability. Recently, a novel class of microgravity facilities, represented by the GraviTower Bremen Prototype and the Einstein Elevator, have enabled microgravity testing with rapid turnaround, but still with limited microgravity duration. This paper first reviews the currently most frequently used microgravity platforms in Europe. Then we envision an early-stage concept which could become Europe’s next-generation facility: the “Alpine Low Gravity Exploration” (AlpG E ) platform. AlpG E could offer highly accessible and flexible microgravity and partial gravity conditions and would also be certified for human participation. The envisioned facility could enable accelerated research and development cycles in biomedical and physical sciences, engineering and space technology, thereby strengthening Europe’s competitiveness in the emerging new space race.