The student research team CAVE0g from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana (FS UL) successfully participated in the 87th ESA Academy Parabolic Flight Campaign held in Bordeaux, France, this September. In the unique conditions of weightlessness, the team carried out its own experimental project—an exceptional recognition of Slovenian scientific and research excellence, as only one other student team from all ESA member states was selected.
On board the specially equipped Airbus A310 ZERO-G, operated by Novespace, the team conducted 90 experimental runs over three days. Each flight consisted of 30 parabolic maneuvers, with every parabola providing roughly 22 seconds of complete weightlessness. The main objective of the project was to investigate the process of cavitation emulsification, where vapor bubbles create a stable emulsion of two otherwise immiscible liquids, such as oil and water. While this process on Earth occurs at a well-defined phase boundary, such a boundary is absent in weightlessness—precisely the difference the team set out to explore. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for food and pharmaceutical preparation in space and for the development of new materials for long-duration missions to the Moon and Mars, while at the same time opening new possibilities for use on Earth, particularly in pharmaceuticals, food technology, and material protection.
“This is a unique study of emulsion generation through cavitation under microgravity conditions. The entire project was led by students. Perhaps I only suggested the initial idea—what happens to emulsion formation when we do not know where the oil–water interface lies, and how stable and high-quality the emulsion will be. The students did all the rest. I am delighted that the mission was successful; we will have to wait a bit longer for the final results,” explained Prof. Dr. Matevž Dular, a leading expert on cavitation. He added: “Emulsions play an important role in pharmaceuticals, the food industry, and material protection. Our research helps to understand these processes on Earth and opens new possibilities for long-term space exploration.” Prof. Dular highlighted strict safety requirements and precise protocols as the greatest challenge: “For example, just three days before departure we were required to perform additional high-frequency noise measurements, as the ultrasound of the measuring station could potentially harm flight participants. The experimental protocol had to be extremely accurate, as each measurement window allowed only about one minute.”
Project leader Jakob Mali described the flight as an unforgettable experience: “The feeling of floating is extraordinary; even the slightest movement affects the whole body, so concentration is crucial. I was also surprised by the phase when the body experiences almost double gravity.” He emphasized the mission’s scientific value: “Even the first data revealed new phenomena we want to investigate further. Our team achieved 100 percent of the planned results in three days, which is a testament to excellent teamwork.”
The CAVE0g project brings together students from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, and the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering at the University of Ljubljana, once again demonstrating the strength of interdisciplinary collaboration. The Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, ranks among the leading research institutions in the region. With modern laboratories, interdisciplinary projects, and strong cooperation with industry, it enables students to engage in cutting-edge international research during their studies—as exemplified by the CAVE0g mission. The team’s success is yet another proof that Slovenian science can confidently rise to the challenges of space exploration and help shape the future of space research.
Photo: CAVE0g Archive
