Freifalltests

Freifalltests, or free-fall tests, are experiments in which an object moves under the influence of gravity with little or no propulsion. The primary purpose is to observe motion in a gravity-dominated regime to measure aerodynamic drag, acceleration, and other forces acting on the body, as well as to validate physical models or to assess the performance of systems such as parachutes, landing gear, protective packaging, or experimental hardware.

Tests are usually performed in controlled facilities such as drop towers, tall laboratories, or vertical shafts. The test article is released from a known height and tracked from release to impact. Safety mechanisms, harnesses, and debris containment are standard. Measurement relies on high-speed imaging, photogates, radar or laser-based trackers, and onboard or radio telemetry to record position, velocity, acceleration and sometimes pressure or temperature. Data are processed to obtain trajectories, drag coefficients, terminal velocity, impact energy, and uncertainty estimates. Repeated trials improve statistical confidence and help quantify repeatability and model fidelity.

Applications span aerospace (payload drops, re-entry, landing system testing), parachute and skydiving equipment evaluation, automotive and consumer packaging tests, and sports equipment development. Freifalltests can be conducted with different initial conditions, such as released from rest or at prescribed initial velocities, and can be combined with wind tunnels or vacuum facilities to isolate aerodynamic effects.

Safety and risk management are integral, including facility certification, hazard analyses, and emergency procedures. The term reflects a broad family of gravity-driven drop tests that remain a fundamental tool for validating theories and ensuring product reliability in environments where gravity governs motion.