NASA Uses Microgravity to Unlock New Understanding of Physical Laws

Washington, D.C.; December 27th, 2025

NASA continues to advance fundamental scientific understanding by studying physics in microgravity, using the unique environment aboard the International Space Station to observe physical processes that behave differently in space than they do under Earth’s gravity, according to an article published by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

NASA explained that microgravity allows scientists to strip away gravity as a dominant force, enabling closer examination of phenomena such as fluid dynamics, heat transfer, combustion, and the behavior of complex materials. In orbit, physical interactions unfold in ways that are difficult or impossible to isolate on Earth, giving researchers a clearer view of the underlying laws that govern matter and energy.

One major area of study highlighted by NASA involves fluid behavior. In microgravity, surface tension, capillary action, and molecular interactions play a far greater role than gravity, allowing scientists to observe how liquids move, mix, and separate when gravity-driven convection is removed. NASA stated that this research has practical applications for spacecraft fuel systems, water recycling technologies, and thermal control systems needed for long-duration missions.

NASA also described extensive research into combustion physics conducted in microgravity. Without gravity-driven airflow, flames burn more slowly and symmetrically, allowing scientists to study ignition, flame structure, and soot formation at a fundamental level. According to NASA, these findings contribute directly to improved fire safety standards on Earth and help engineers design safer spacecraft environments for astronauts.

In addition to fluids and combustion, NASA noted that microgravity experiments involving soft matter and complex fluids provide insight into how materials self-organize at the microscopic level. Studies of colloids, foams, and granular materials help researchers better understand industrial processes such as metal alloy formation, crystal growth, and pharmaceutical manufacturing.

NASA emphasized that the International Space Station functions as a continuous, long-term laboratory, allowing experiments to be repeated, refined, and observed over extended periods. This sustained access enables scientists to validate theories, improve computational models, and uncover subtle physical effects that short-duration experiments cannot capture.

The agency stated that discoveries made through microgravity research often lead to advancements beyond spaceflight. Technologies influenced by this research have applications in medicine, energy efficiency, materials science, and environmental monitoring, demonstrating how space-based science delivers tangible benefits to everyday life on Earth.

NASA also connected this research to future exploration goals, noting that understanding physical behavior in microgravity is essential for missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Reliable life-support systems, propulsion technologies, and habitat designs depend on accurate knowledge of how physical processes function in space environments.

NASA concluded that studying physics in microgravity remains a cornerstone of its scientific mission, bridging fundamental discovery with practical innovation, and reinforcing the role of space-based research in expanding both human knowledge and technological capability.

Sources

Primary First-Hand Sources

• NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION, official article titled “Studying Physics in Microgravity,” published by NASA, December 2025