Hannover Institute of Technology Structure News
Successful debut launch of the Einstein-Elevator, a globally unique drop tower

Successful debut launch of the Einstein-Elevator, a globally unique drop tower

Successful debut launch of the Einstein-Elevator Successful debut launch of the Einstein-Elevator Successful debut launch of the Einstein-Elevator
© Leibniz Universität Hannover/Marie-Luise Kolb

Experiments in microgravity for four seconds, 300 times a day: scientists from HITec at Leibniz Universität Hannover realize conditions for space research here on Earth, opening new possibilities for researchers across the globe. The construction of the Einstein-Elevator was coordinated by the Institute of Transport and Automation Technology.

"Three - two - one - Go". The gondola weighing several tons shoots up into the yellow-blue-red tower - then in virtual free-fall it returns towards its launch position and the fall is broken at the last second.

The video of the Einstein-Elevator in operation will not only inspire the scientists involved in quantum physics and manufacturing engineers - it demonstrates to scientists all over the world  the possibilities enabled by the successful drive and guiding concept of the Einstein-Elevator. Great news for anyone researching under conditions of weightlessness. From spring 2020, the Einstein-Elevator will be available to them in regular research operation. 

The history of the origin of the Einstein-Elevator, statements by the scientists involved and a video showing, among other things, how Lego spacemen experience weightlessness in the gondola, can be found on the Einstein-Elevator page of HITec.

Published by Christoph Lotz