18th IAA Humans in Space Symposium (2011)
2271.pdf
Mental Representation of Spatial Cues during Spaceflight (3DSPACE)
Corinna Lathan,1 Anna Skinner,1 and Gilles Clément 2
1
AnthroTronix, Inc., Silver Spring, Maryland, and 2International Space University, Strasbourg, France
ABSTRACT
The 3DSPACE experiment is a joint effort between ESA and NASA to develop a virtual reality platform to enable
astronauts to complete a series of tests while aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Specifically, this research
investigates whether the absence of the gravitational frame of reference during spaceflight is responsible for alterations
in distance and depth perception in astronauts, with the goal of developing countermeasures to alleviate any
associated performance risks. Such alterations would impact perception and localization of objects in the
environment, and consequently spatial orientation and reliable performance of motor tasks.
Measurements are based on three primary tasks presented in a head mounted display: 1) Depth Perception - Subjects
adjust the shape of 2D and 3D illusions or objects with a finger trackball; 2) Handwriting/Drawing - Subjects write
or draw memorized objects and words with an electronic pen on a digitizing tablet, without visual feedback; and 3)
Distance Perception - Subjects estimate and report absolute distances between objects in 3D photographic scenes.
Pre-, in-, and post-flight measurements have been obtained in crewmembers of Expedition 17, 20, and 22. Pre-flight
testing has been completed on two crewmembers of Expedition 26. Data analysis is on-going and preliminary
results include the following: 1) A 3D cube with smaller height than width is perceived as a perfect cube in-flight;
2) Hand drawn objects in-flight have greater height and smaller width than on the ground. Words written vertically
in-flight are shorter (total vertical length of the word) than pre-flight, but longer immediately after return; and 3)
Vertical distances are overestimated on Earth, but not late in-flight, and shorter distances ranging from 100-1000
feet, are underestimated.