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History In The Making As Diet Rite And Zero-G Bring First Zero-Gravity Flights To The PublicZero Gravity Corporation and Diet Rite Invite Americans to ‘Go For Zero’FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. and RYE BROOK, N.Y. (September 14, 2004) – Americans are about to discover the thrill of “zero.” Zero Gravity Corporation (ZERO-G), the first and only company approved by the FAA to conduct Weightless Flights for the general public, and Diet Rite, the original and only zero-calorie soda of its kind, have teamed up to provide Americans with the first opportunity to experience the fun and exhilarating feeling of weightlessness, an experience previously available only to astronauts. To celebrate this milestone, Diet Rite is kicking off a six-city “Go For Zero” tour of the first ZERO-G flights in the country, beginning with a launch flight today from Newark Airport in New Jersey. Select consumers and guests in Los Angeles, Dallas, Detroit, Atlanta and Fort Lauderdale will also be among the first to take a trip to weightlessness on a specially modified Boeing 727-200 aircraft, called G- FORCE ONE, during a nationwide tour from September 14th through 24th. “ZERO-G’s mission is to make the excitement and adventure of space safe, fun and affordable for the general public,” said Dr. Peter Diamandis, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Zero Gravity Corporation. “To that end, the company has worked steadfastly with the FAA through three presidential administrations to break new ground and take the first real steps towards space tourism with the commercial availability of weightless flight. We are excited to partner with Diet Rite to bring the marvel of weightless flight and the thrill of zero to Americans.” The ZERO-G Experience offers a full-day program led by a veteran astronaut. Each Flyer (the customer) experiences Martian (1/3 g), Lunar (1/6 g) and zero-gravity conditions. Weightlessness is created inside G-FORCE ONE by flying a parabolic flight pattern, specifically a 10,000-foot “roller coaster”, which takes place at between 22,000 and 32,000 feet (altitude). The parabolic flight patterns temporarily counteract Earth’s gravity, thereby creating prolonged weightlessness giving Flyers the opportunity to experience what it feels like to float in space. “We want people to know that zero never felt or tasted so good,” said Randy Gier, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Cadbury Schweppes Americas Beverages. “Our Diet Rite brand offers a soft drink with zero calories, zero carbs, zero sodium, zero caffeine with zero compromise on taste. This new partnership with ZERO-G is a way for us to bring to the excitement of zero to life and to consumers around the country.” The “Go For Zero” Diet Rite/Zero-G project was designed and packaged
by EMCI, the New York based entertainment marketing company best known for big
and out-of-the-box ideas. “We believe this event will capture the imagination
of America and break through all of the low carb clutter with a clear and
powerful statement for Diet Rite,” said Jay Coleman, CEO of EMCI. About Diet Rite |