Microgravity Piano

JOSÉ FERREIRA, SPACE GENERATION ADVISORY COUNCIL

Based on the idea of giving a short piano performance in microgravity, I designed a small experiment to measure the impact of a different gravitational environment in the perception-reaction chain of playing the piano at a given tempo. Data was retrieved concerning the delay between the audible stimulus reception and the action of pressing a key. I also premiered a custom piece of music created by a music conservatory in Portugal during the flight.

Experiencing such conditions is truly unforgettable, and both the brain and body feel out of place. Surprisingly, it did not take long to adapt, and it was actually possible to perform the planned experiment after the first parabola. The biggest lesson I learned is the fact that it is useful to keep a free hand to prevent crashing into people, which was difficult to achieve while playing the piano. Nonetheless, the learning curve is steep, and it is fairly straightforward to swiftly learn how to maneuver in microgravity and fully enjoy weightlessness.

The next steps of the sound perception project encompass data analysis and publishing the conclusions supported by the experimental evidence. Concerning the music project, it is intended to release a short tune soon.

Learn More

Development of a Low-Cost Apparatus to Assess Auditory Cognitive Responses in Microgravity Flights

Low-Cost Experiment for Microgravity Research

Have You Ever Played Piano in Zero Gravity? Jose Ferreira Has.

See yourself in Space—Aurelia Institute