Cat Righting Reflex in Zero Gravity

Text on the meme

Comparison of cat righting reflexes in gravity and zero gravity

What it means

A cat is tossed repeatedly inside a zero-gravity aircraft while people in flight suits observe and handle it. The joke comes from comparing a cat’s reliable ability to land on its feet in normal gravity with its confused tumbling in weightlessness, making it useful as an absurd reaction to chaos or disorientation. EN: A cat is tossed repeatedly inside a zero-gravity aircraft while people in flight suits observe and handle it. The joke comes from comparing a cat’s reliable ability to land on its feet in normal gravity with its confused tumbling in weightlessness, making it useful as an absurd reaction to chaos or disorientation.

Speech

Cats, when dropped under normal conditions, will invariably rotate their bodies longitudinally in mid-air and land on their feet. This automatic reflex action is almost completely lost under weightlessness.

Objects

cat / кот people in flight suits / люди в лётных костюмах zero-gravity aircraft cabin / салон самолёта в невесомости flight harnesses / страховочные системы black clothing / чёрная одежда white-and-black cat / бело-чёрный кот falling cat / падающий кот floating cat / парящий кот curved aircraft wall / изогнутая стена самолёта overhead equipment / оборудование над головой