The Centrifuge
The centrifuge is an integral part of cosmonaut training designed to test their ability to cope with "G" forces. As part of my "Steps to Space" I was to experience a simulated Soyuz launch into orbit. After a fitful nights sleep it was with a mixture of apprehension and nervous excitement I was off to the Yuri Gagarin cosmonaut Training at Star City Centre for my first day of training. With some trepidation I handed over my medical test results to the doctor who was to confirm I was in a good enough condition to take the centrifuge “launch”.
I had never done anything like this and was quite worried about how I would feel during and after it. I was very worried I would throw up. I was to feel what it was like to be launched into space aboard the most powerful Russian space vehicle ever built. Having been past “fit”, I was taken to the capsule strapped in and connected to the monitoring equipment.
The door was shut and I was on my own with a camera directly infront of me to monitor me and a voice from the control room my only contact with the outside world.
I waited for the countdown. 10,9,8 7..at 0, I was thrust backwards into the layback seat as I accelerated from the launch pad, building upto the 3.55 G’s for the 3 ˝ minutes to the first stage jettison. I tried to move and could only do so with great difficulty.
Mission control advised me to prepare for jettison and for the 2nd stage. All of a sudden the weight that held my body heard into the seat was gone and I was floating, but only briefly, then pushed back into the seat as the motor fired for a second time, 1 minute, then 2, then the voice again said jettison and 3rd stage kicked in. 3 G’s again and then a brief floating sensation again as I entered orbit. After a short while the door to the capsule opened and I was back on the ground. What an amazing experience. Some Disneyland rides might be good, but nothing can compare to this. I was the 2nd only Australian, after astronaut Andy Thomas, to have been “launched” I was told. The relief that I hadn’t thrown up was very quickly overtaken by the excitement and thrill and I couldn’t wait until the next stage of the journey.
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