EXPERIMENT INFORMATION
Straight-Ahead in Microgravity (Straight_Ahead)
Species Studied
Scientific Name: Homo sapiens Species: Human
OBJECTIVES:
This study will investigate adaptive changes in spatial orientation after long-duration space flight by measuring eye and arm movements pointed in the “straight-ahead” direction as perceived by the test subject.
Specific objectives include: (a) fixation of actual and imagined target locations at different distances; (b) eye and arm movements along head or trunk directions; and (c) the vestibulo-ocular reflex during translation motion with fixation targets at different distances.
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APPROACH:
Three preflight data collections will occur at L-120 (Launch -120 days), L-90, and L-60 while 3 postflight data collections will occur at R+0 (Return to earth + 0 days), R+4, and R+8. After the subject has been instrumented, each session will begin with eye and arm calibration. Subsequent activities include fixation of actual and imagined targets at different distances, followed by directed eye and arm movements along different spatial reference frames and measurement of the vestibulo-ocular reflex during fore-aft translation motion with fixation targets at different distances. Arm movements will be recorded using inertial sensors and eye movements will be recorded using video cameras. Measures will be taken in an upright and tilted orientation, with and without vibrotactile stimulation. There will be no inflight data collections.
RESULTS:
This experiment is currently in progress. The results are not yet available.
Vestibular function tests
Space perception
Eye movements
Posture
Spatial behavior
Data Availability
Archiving in progress. Data is not yet available for this experiment.
Arm movement
Eye movement
Vestibulo-ocular reflex
Mission/Study Information
Human Research Program (HRP) Human Research Roadmap (HRR) Information
Crew health and performance is critical to successful human exploration beyond low Earth orbit.
The Human Research Program (HRP) investigates and mitigates the highest risks to human health
and performance, providing essential countermeasures and technologies for human space exploration.
Risks include physiological and performance effects from hazards such as radiation, altered gravity,
and hostile environments, as well as unique challenges in medical support, human factors,
and behavioral health support. The HRP utilizes an Integrated Research Plan (IRP) to identify
the approach and research activities planned to address these risks, which are assigned to specific
Elements within the program. The Human Research Roadmap is the web-based tool for communicating the IRP content.
The Human Research Roadmap is located at:
https://humanresearchroadmap.nasa.gov/
+ Click here for information of how this experiment is contributing to the HRP's path for risk reduction.
Managing NASA Center
Johnson Space Center (JSC)
Responsible NASA Representative
Johnson Space Center LSDA Office
Project Manager: Pamela A. Bieri
Institutional Support
European Space Agency (ESA)