The oxidation of porous carbon particles is an important area of research as a model system for the coal char combustion after the volatiles have burned away. The overall oxidation rate of a carbon particle depends on complex interaction between heterogeneous and homogeneous reactions, as well as transport of energy and species. Uncertainties still exist regarding the porosity effects and surface kinetic rates, hence numerical models often include certain lumped rates or parameters that do not separate the various physical effects. This paper reports on the initial results of a program to develop a comprehensive numerical and reduced gravity experimental approach to address the above shortcomings. An experimental apparatus designed to fly on the NASA KC-135 reduced gravity aircraft was used to measure the oxidation rate and time-resolved temperature of single, 1 mm diameter, porous carbon particles burning in oxygen-enriched air, both in normal and reduced gravity. The results are compared to predictions from a detailed numerical model run under the same environmental conditions. The experiments and model were found to be in reasonable agreement regarding the oxidation rate as a function of oxygen level. Reduced gravity results showed a 25% decreased burning rate compared to 1g, attributed to the reduced oxygen transport in the absence of a buoyant plume. A lower oxygen limit of 55% was found below which self-sustained oxidation would not occur regardless of gravitational level. The predicted and measured temperatures were not, however, in good agreement and reconciling them needs further research. The model was used to conclusively demonstrate the importance of using porous vs. non-porous kinetics, as well as to predict species surface reaction rates and gas-phase concentrations.