Zero gravity and vaccinations? The Airbus A300 ZERO-G at Cologne Bonn Airport offers more than just a glimpse into aviation history. This remarkable aircraft has a story that begins long before it became a unique vaccination center.
The A300 ZERO-G began its journey on June 28th, 1973. It flew as F-WUAD. The airframe is almost half a century old. Airbus held onto the jet until May 1996. Lufthansa wet-leased it between 1973 and 1974. Transavia wanted to acquire the aircraft in 1975. This acquisition didn’t happen. The plane landed with Sabena Technics. It took on its Zero G role as F-BUAD. It then went to SA Novespace in January 2005.
From May to June 2006, the German research agency DLR wet-leased the aircraft. During its Zero G time, the plane was used for research. Astronauts trained in weightlessness here. In 2014, the jet retired. It ended up at Cologne Bonn Airport.
Since August 2015, the A300 ZERO-G has been stationed at Cologne Bonn Airport. It can be viewed as part of guided tours. But this historic Airbus has gained new fame recently.
In December 2021, the City of Cologne vaccination team used the Airbus A300 ZERO-G for first, second, and third vaccinations. The first action was on December 13, 2021. It was very popular. Around 300 people were vaccinated in the Airbus ZERO-G that afternoon. People could view the extraordinary aircraft. Further vaccination dates were on December 17 and December 21. People received vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson.
The Airbus A300 ZERO-G was used until 2014 to simulate weightlessness. It flew as a parabolic aircraft. A total of 13,180 parabolas were flown with the Airbus. Astronaut Alexander Gerst trained on board.
Novespace’s A300 Zero-G flies up to 31 parabolic maneuvers per day. These flights last three to four hours. The plane banks steeply upwards. The pilot then cuts back the engine thrust. Passengers and experiments experience near-zero gravity in the ensuing free fall. Medical experiments help improve astronaut health in space and people on Earth. Weightlessness can prevent bone and muscle degeneration.
The Airbus ZERO-G is located in the P-Nord outdoor car park at Cologne Bonn Airport. People arriving by car can use parking garages P2 or P3. Access to the Zero G is not barrier-free. People unable to use the stairs can get vaccinated outside the aircraft.
So, next time you see the A300 ZERO-G, remember its dual role. It is a symbol of aviation history and public health efforts. This extraordinary aircraft has truly earned its place in Cologne’s story.