NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

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Experiment Overview


Brief Summary

Lack of gravity causes sensorimotor deficits post-landing. This experiment's comprehensive cognitive/sensorimotor test battery will determine the relative contribution of specific mechanisms (including sleepiness and fatigue) underlying decrements in post-flight operator proficiency. These results will be critical in determining whether sensorimotor countermeasures are required for piloted landings and early surface operations, and what functional areas countermeasures should target.

Principal Investigator(s)

Steven Moore, Ph.D., Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States

Co-Investigator(s)/Collaborator(s)

Hamish MacDougall, Ph.D., University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

Scott J. Wood, Ph.D., Universities Space Research Association, Houston, TX, United States

Developer(s)

Johnson Space Center, Human Research Program, Houston, TX, United States

Sponsoring Space Agency

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Sponsoring Organization

Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate (HEOMD)

Research Benefits

Information Pending

ISS Expedition Duration:

September 2012 - September 2014

Expeditions Assigned

33/34,35/36,37/38,39/40

Previous ISS Missions

Information Pending

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Experiment Description

Research Overview

• Evidence from shuttle landings suggests that performance of astronaut pilots is degraded after microgravity exposure. Central adaptation to the absence of gravity is thought to be responsible for a range of sensorimotor deficits (postural, locomotor, oculomotor, perception of motion) observed in astronauts post-landing. Long-term exposure to microgravity has the potential to negatively impact the ability of crewmembers to navigate, land, and perform post-landing surface operations for exploration class missions.



• Based on relevant flight studies, the investigators have developed a battery of tests to be performed on seated crewmembers pre- and post-flight. The test battery targets cognitive, oculomotor, fine motor, and vestibular mechanisms potentially underlying post-flight deficits in operator performance. Computerized simulator tasks include automobile control, T-38 landing simulations, and a rover simulation. Sleepiness and fatigue are also measured to control for the cumulative effects of in-flight sleep deprivation and workload.



• An understanding of the underlying mechanisms for any decrements in post-flight proficiency will help determine whether countermeasures are required for future exploration class missions, and what functional areas the countermeasures should target.

Description

Long-term exposure to microgravity has the potential to negatively impact the ability of crewmembers to operate complex machinery and perform post-landing EVA. This project directly addresses the 'risk of impaired ability to maintain control of vehicles and other complex systems' identified by NASA's Human Research Program by performing pre- and post-flight assessments of sensorimotor function in ISS astronauts in conjunction with full-motion simulations to gauge the effects of microgravity exposure on operator proficiency.

The PI team developed a full-motion simulator based on a 6 degree-of-freedom Stewart platform. A cylindrical polypropylene water tank (2.2 m diameter; 1.7 m height) forms the cabin, which is attached to the motion platform. Three ceiling mounted projectors provide a 180 degree field-of-view display. Subjects are placed in a racing seat and restrained by a 4-point harness. The control pod includes a steering wheel and joystick, and three pedals (outer pedals used for rudder input during flight; right and middle pedal used for accelerator and brake for driving simulations).

Based on a review of relevant in- and post-flight studies, the PI team developed a battery of tests to be performed on seated ISS crewmembers pre- and post-flight. The test battery targets cognitive, oculomotor, fine motor, and vestibular mechanisms potentially underlying post-flight deficits in operator performance. In addition, subjective and objective measures of sleepiness and fatigue will be obtained to control for the cumulative effects of in-flight sleep deprivation and workload on post-flight sensorimotor and operator function. The results from these test batteries will be correlated with astronaut performance on three operationally-relevant full-motion simulator tasks: control of an automobile, operation of a Mars rover, and (for experienced pilot subjects only) T-38A Talon landing simulations.

The aim is to objectively define the effects of long-duration spaceflight on operator proficiency, and identify microgravity-related sensorimotor or cognitive deficits (or combinations thereof) underlying degradation of operator effectiveness. This study will answer four critical questions:

• 1. To what degree does long-duration spaceflight impair a crewmember’s ability to operate a vehicle or other machinery?
  
  2. What sensorimotor/cognitive functions underlie degradation of operator proficiency?
  
  3. Are sensorimotor countermeasures required for lunar/Martian landings and surface operations?
  
  4. If so, what areas should these countermeasures target?

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Applications

Space Applications

An understanding of the underlying mechanisms for the decrement in post-flight proficiency will help determine whether countermeasures are required for future exploration class missions, and what functional areas the countermeasures should target.

Earth Applications

N/A

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Operations

Operational Requirements

The experiment calls for 4 preflight and 3 postflight sessions on a total of 8 subjects. Preflight sessions are scheduled in the L-120 days to launch timeframe with no more than 2 sessions scheduled within a 7 day period and at least 48 hrs between tests. It is desired that the final preflight session occur as late as possible prior to departure for launch. Postflight sessions are targeted for R+0/1, R+4, and R+8 days.

Operational Protocols

Information Pending

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Results/More Information

Information Pending

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Related Websites

Human Aerospace Laboratory

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Imagery

Interior view: Subject uses a joystick to control navigation and docking during the rover simulation. Similar input devices will be used for other simulations and the physiologic test battery.
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Exterior view: The simulator cabin, viewed here from the entry portal, is mounted on a 6 degree-of-freedom (DOF) motion base. The visual projection screens are used with the 6DOF base to provide full motion simulations of driving, T38 landing and rover navigation, as well as test motion perception and ocular reflexes during dynamic motion stimuli.
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