Private space company NOY opens the world's first research center with an advanced hydro laboratory
The world of space technology is taking another significant step forward: the private space company NOY has announced the launch of a unique research center equipped with a state-of-the-art hydro laboratory. This development promises to revolutionize astronaut training methods and strengthen the advancement of private space technologies.
The hydro laboratory, scheduled to commence operation in early 2026, will be the first accessible platform for experiments and research, both for space startups and high-tech companies.
The core concept is to simulate the effects of weightlessness and the conditions of outer space using a large hydraulic engineering complex. At the center of this is a massive reservoir measuring 15 by 30 meters with a depth of 8 meters, filled with 5,000 tons of water maintained at 30°C. Thanks to the high density and unique properties of water, an effect is achieved that closely mimics weightlessness, enabling training and scientific research in conditions similar to those in space.
The platform, capable of supporting up to 80 tons, will host mock-ups of NOY spacecraft and various modules for astronaut training. The infrastructure is versatile and adaptable to different training and research scenarios, with safety ensured by qualified divers equipped with professional gear.
Experts have confirmed that the sensations experienced during underwater immersion and the feeling of weightlessness in space coincide by at least 95%, making the hydro laboratory a unique platform for crew training and conducting experiments.
Dmitry Antonychev, founder of NOY, stated:
"We are proud that we will be able to attract the best experts not only from Russia but from around the world. Only by working together we can achieve new breakthroughs and make space more accessible to private companies and scientists."
According to industry experts, this initiative could become a key step in space exploration, opening new opportunities for research, technological development, and crew training. The era when space was the exclusive domain of states is passing — the future is already here, and NOY’s private initiative confirms this.
