Communications of the ACM
Virtual Reality Could Let Astronauts 'go to the Beach'
A new virtual reality system under development could provide an escape for astronauts on lengthy space missions.
Credit: Hunter Freeman
Digital Arts Leadership and Innovation (DALI) lab researchers are developing the Virtual Space Station, a virtual reality system that could provide an escape for U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) astronauts on long space missions.
The researchers say the virtual world created by the system, which uses the Oculus Rift virtual reality display, will extend to other senses beyond sight. "We will augment the experience through sound, create a breeze with fans, add smells--anything we can do to trick the brain into feeling like they are transported into a new space," says DALI leader and Dartmouth University computer scientist Lorie Loeb.
The research builds on more than a decade of work to develop a computer-based therapy program to help astronauts cope with the mental challenges of long space missions. The Virtual Space Station includes programs designed to treat depression and help astronauts deal with stress or engage in conflict management. The system has a much more advanced computer interface than traditional Internet-based therapy programs, according to Dartmouth clinical psychologist Mark Hegel.
The researchers are testing the Virtual Space Station on mock missions in which participants will be able to confidentially access the virtual therapy program on their laptops.
From LiveScience
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