Vection: Using virtual reality to test astronauts' perception
Vection was a Canadian science experiment that used a virtual reality system to examine how microgravity affects astronauts' perception of their motion.
Background
The word "vection" is defined as a feeling that you are moving even though you are immobile, brought on by seeing something else moving. It can be dangerous if it leads astronauts to misinterpret the direction and speed of other objects. For instance, the effect could complicate tasks involving robotics such as captures of unpiloted spacecraft using Canadarm2.
The Vection experiment assessed how crewmembers judged distances and processed their own movement while they were immersed in a virtual reality environment. The intent was to use the knowledge gained through this study to help design safer methods of moving around the International Space Station (ISS), and possibly help future astronauts land small spaceships on lunar or planetary surfaces.
Studying vection, an interesting optical illusion, with David Saint-Jacques. (Credits: Canadian Space Agency, NASA)
Results
The Vection study revealed that astronauts' perception of self-motion is largely unaffected by spending time in microgravity. The findings show that humans can adjust their sense of self-motion even in non-Earth environments, and they don't have to rely on watching objects in motion to gauge their own motion.
These results are encouraging for the future of human deep-space exploration. They provide reassurance about the safety of astronauts during extended periods in microgravity, since their perception of self-motion remains reliable in different environments.
The findings also have valuable implications here on Earth. They can:
- contribute to our understanding of balance and movement disorders
- offer insights into the effects of aging on perception of self-motion
- help develop ways to mitigate age-related declines in spatial awareness and motor function
- help improve technologies like remotely operated robots used in surgery
Objectives
Vection aimed to:
- learn more about how visual information creates the impression of self-motion in weightlessness
- explore whether astronauts' perception of their surroundings is affected by weightlessness
- create a model of how the space environment influences the way we process visual information
How it worked
Vection's 12 participants used virtual reality headsets to experience 3D simulations. Throughout the tests, astronauts were immobilized in a head and neck brace.
- In one simulation, astronauts estimated the size of an object. Mistakes in estimation revealed errors in perceived distance from the objects.
- A second test simulated motion down a corridor. Astronauts indicated when they arrived at the position of a previously viewed target. Over- or under-estimates indicated the strength of their sense of vection.
- In the third test, simulated visual motion was used to determine if the astronauts were confusing tilt and visual acceleration in weightlessness.
Astronauts were tested before, during, and after their missions. Vection's scientists are analyzing the results to isolate the effects of weightlessness on their performance. In spring , the research team will go to the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) to present the final report and discuss the recommendations.
You may have experienced vection in the subway while observing a nearby train arrive or leave. Despite remaining immobile, you may have felt a convincing sensation that your train moved in the opposite direction. That illusory self-motion is known as vection.
CSA astronaut David-Saint Jacques takes part in activities for Vection while on board the ISS. (Credit: CSA)
Astronauts will see this virtual reality corridor as they participate in Vection, a Canadian science experiment aiming to test astronauts' perception in space. (Credit: York University)
Timeline
- Vection conducted its testing between and .
- In spring , the research team presented its results at the CSA.
Research team
Principal investigator
- Dr. Laurence Harris, York University
Co-investigators
- Dr. Michael Jenkin, York University
- Dr. Robert Allison, York University