Mental Representation of Spatial Cues in Microgravity

Paper number

IAC-06-A1.3.03

Author

Dr. Gilles Clement, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, France

Coauthor

Dr. Corinna E. Lathan, United States

Coauthor

Mrs. Anna Lockerd, United States

Coauthor

Dr. Angie Bukley, Ohio University, EECS, United States

Year

2006

Abstract

Accurate perception and localization of objects in the environment are prerequisites for spatial orientation and reliable performance of motor tasks.  Humans have mental representation of their environment based on sensory information and experience.  The absence of the gravitational frame of reference during space flight could be responsible for disturbances in the mental representation of spatial cues.  Such disturbances may influence the ability of astronauts to accurately perform perceptual-motor and perceptual-cognitive tasks such as those involved in robotic control.  Future exploration class missions such as human missions to Mars will have a heavy emphasis on robotics and teleoperation performance.  Thus, this research will pave the way for human exploration missions, particularly those for which human performance with respect to robotic systems is crucial.

A series of experiments has been designed to allow further identification of the role of gravity in the mental representation of space.  This NASA/ESA-funded research effort includes motor tests complemented by psychophysics measurements, designed to distinguish the effects of cognitive versus perceptual-motor changes due to microgravity exposure.  Characteristics of mental representation that are easily quantifiable include the spatial and dynamics components of handwriting and drawing of memorized objects with the eyes closed, the strength of geometric illusions based on the arrangement of horizontal, vertical, and oblique lines, the percept reversal of ambiguous 3D figures, and the perception of distances.  Using a digitizing tablet and an immersive, head-mounted display, subjects will be tested before, during and immediately after spaceflight in order to characterize some of the fundamental effects of gravity, or of its virtual absence, on human perception.  

This presentation will review the results of preliminary testing, performed both on the ground and during the microgravity phase of parabolic flight.  These results indicate that the vertical height of written characters and the strength of perspective-based geometric illusions are reduced in microgravity compared to normal gravity.  In addition, the percept reversal of 3D pictures is significantly longer in microgravity, suggesting that the mental representation of the height and depth of objects and the environment change during short-term microgravity.  Identifying lasting abnormalities in the mental representation of spatial cues will establish the scientific and technical foundation for development of preflight and in-flight training and rehabilitative schemes, enhancing astronaut performance of perceptual-motor and perceptual-cognitive tasks, for example, interaction with robotic systems during exploration class missions.

Abstract document

IAC-06-A1.3.03.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-06-A1.3.03.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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