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Mental Representation of Spatial Cues During Space Flight (3D-Space)
06.05.09

Overview | Description | Applications | Operations | Results | Publications | Images

Experiment/Payload Overview

Brief Summary

The purpose of the Mental Representation of Spatial Cues During Space Flight (3D-Space) experiment is to investigate the effects of exposure to microgravity on the mental representation of spatial cues by astronauts during and after space flight. The absence of the gravitational frame of reference during spaceflight could be responsible for disturbances in the mental representation of spatial cues, such as the perception of horizontal and vertical lines, the perception of objects' depth, and the perception of targets' distance.

Principal Investigator

  • Gilles Clement, Ph.D., Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Toulouse, France

    • Co-Investigator(s)/Collaborator(s)

  • Corinna E. Lathan, Ph.D., AnthroTronix, Incorporated, Silver Springs, MD

    • Payload Developer

    Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Toulouse, France
    AnthroTronix, Incorporated, Silver Springs, MD

    Sponsoring Agency

    European Space Agency (ESA)

    Expeditions Assigned

    |17|18|19|20|

    Previous ISS Missions

    Information Pending

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    Experiment/Payload Description

    Research Summary

    • Handwriting and drawing tasks in the Mental Representation of Spatial Cues During Space Flight (3D-Space) investigation will be used to compare the mental representation of the horizontal versus vertical components of layouts of letters and two-dimensional and three-dimensional objects.


    • 3D-Space will investigate if depth perception is altered during space flight by analyzing the strength of geometric optical illusions based on perspective. Subjects will also be asked to indicate which of normal, elongated, or shrunk three-dimesional objects look normal while in microgravity and after return to Earth.


    • 3D-SPACE will investigate distance perception in microgravity by comparing the judgments of relative distance between three-dimesional objects and landmarks on three-dimesional natural scenes, as well as absolute distance between self and one landmark

    Description

    This experiment involves comparisons of preflight, inflight, and postflight perceptions and mental imagery, with special reference to spaceflight-related decreases in the vertical component of percepts. There are two methodological foci: The first uses multiple measures, stimulus production and stimulus evaluation, to disentangle perceptual and motor contributions. The second is use of a digitizing tablet for subject written input. Virtual reality is used for information display and presentation of perceptual stimulus.

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    Applications

    Space Applications

    Information Pending

    Earth Applications

    Information Pending

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    Operations

    Operational Requirements

    Information Pending

    Operational Protocols

    Preflight baseline data collection (BDC) will occur at approximately launch minus (L-) 90, L-60, and L-30 days. One BDC session will include performance of three perceptual/motor tasks lasting about 10 minutes each. One task includes writing words horizontally and vertically and drawing geometrical objects using a digitizing tablet. A second task involves adjusting the shape of a geometrical illusion or a three-dimensional object presented in a head-mounted virtual reality display. The third task includes estimating the relative or absolute distances between objects and landmarks in three-dimensional images presented in the head-mounted display. Postflight sessions are identical to those conducted preflight and will be performed on return plus (R+) 0, R+1 or 2, R+4, and R+8 days.

    Inflight sessions include the same tasks as the preflight and postflight BDC sessions along with set-up and stowage of associated equipment. Four sessions are planned, with the first session on flight day 10, the second and third session at mid-flight, and a final session within 1-2 weeks before landing. During the tasks subjects will be free-floating to minimize orientation and cognitive reference cues.

    This experiment uses the EPM laptop computer on board Columbus. A digitizing tablet, head-mounted display, and a finger trackball will interface with the laptop (using associated cables) for performance of the required tasks.

    A total of ten subjects are required to complete this investigation.

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    Results/More Information

    Information Pending

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    Related Web Sites
  • The information on this page is provided courtesy of the ESA Erasmus Experiment Archive.

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    Publications

    Results Publications

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      Related Publications
      • Cox JF, Tahvanainen K, Kuusela TA, Levine BD, Cooke WH, Mano T, Iwase S, Saito M, Sugiyama Y, Ertl AC, Biaggioni I, Diedrich A, Robertson RM, Zuckerman JH, Layne LD, Ray CA, White RJ, Pawelczyk JA, Buckey JC, Baisch FJ, Blomqvist CG, Robertson D, and Eckberg DL. Influence of microgravity on astronaut's sympathetic and vagal responses to Valsalva's manoeuvre. The Journal of Physiology. ;538:309-320. 2002

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      Images

      imageArtist view of a crewmember performing the 3D-Space experiment. Image courtesy of CNRS.
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      imageNASA Image: ISS017E011926 - Greg Chamitoff, Flight Engineer works with 3D-Space experiment in the Japanese Experiment Module, Kibo, during Expedition 17.
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      imageNASA Image: ISS019E012429 - Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Koichi Wakata, Expedition 19 flight engineer, prepares to perform the Mental Representation of Spatial Cues During Space Flight (3D-Space) experiment Columbus module.
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      Information Provided and Updated by the ISS Program Scientist's Office
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