The Center for MicroGravity Research (MicroG) is a unique and pioneering research center of multidisciplinary nature as it brings together the contributions from professionals from Engineering, Physiotherapy, Pharmacy, Physical Education, Medicine, Aeronautical Sciences, Dentistry, among others academic areas. Its administrative office is located at PUCRS’ Science and Technology Park (Tecnopuc), whereas the research and development facilities are located in three offices in building 30, in an area as large as 500 m2. Today, MicroG is an internationally recognized research center, for both the undergraduate and graduate level of education, in several academic areas.
The role of Brazil played in the construction and operation of the International Space Station propelled many Brazilian universities and research institutions to open Aerospace Science study centers. Relying on more than 60 years of tradition, PUCRS has joined this effort and is now a leading and pioneering university in the areas of Aeronautics and Astronautics in Brazil due to the implementation of the first undergraduate program for commercial pilot training in South America, in 1993. The idea of building the first laboratory in the country devoted to the study of human physiology in an aerospace environment and in microgravity settings on Earth were a step forward.
Established in 1999, the MicroGravity Laboratory resulted from the joint efforts and collaboration from the Medicine, Aeronautical Sciences and Engineering programs. In 2006, it was renamed to MicroGravity Center (MicroG), and has become an official research structure at PUCRS.
