How does it feel to be in zero gravity for the first time?
There’s no way to simulate weightlessness properly on Earth, and I learned a long time ago that all simulators are wrong. You have to remember that as a test pilot and as an astronaut. The simulator is just a way to get close enough to reality that hopefully you’ll be able to deal with it in real life.
When you actually get to space and you unstrap from your chair and come floating up into weightlessness, it’s permanent. It doesn’t stop as soon as the aeroplane pulls out or as soon as your feet touch the ground. We’re so used to being pulled down by gravity that it almost feels like you’re being pulled up as you’re so used to your hair being pushed down on your head. You are used to having the spit in your mouth at the bottom of your mouth, right? But suddenly when there is no gravity, everything feels like it’s being pulled up towards the ceiling by invisible strings. It feels like instantaneous magic because suddenly you can tumble and float and fly. It’s great!