Mental health in space is one of the long-term goals for future space agency missions.
This isn’t the first time a virtual reality or augmented reality device has traveled to space, but it will be the first to be used. Treatment of mental health problems It contains Space. For example, it is common to use these devices to entertain yourself with virtual visits to museums, video games, or to enjoy a movie, but not as a method of managing emotions in Earth orbit.
Commitment to virtual reality hampers astronauts’ mental health
The Press release Submitted by XRHealth, a company working in the field of spatial computing in healthcare, VIVE Focus 3 device It will be Sent On the next cargo mission International Space Station.
Exciting news! On November 7th, the VIVE Focus 3 headset will launch alongside the SpaceX CRS-29 on a resupply mission to the International Space Station. It’s part of a personal mental health initiative by ESA’s astronaut Andreas Mogensen. pic.twitter.com/ojMoPSSE1P
— HTC VIVE (@htcvive) November 3, 2023
XRHealth has partnered with HTC and Nord-Space Aps to build the system. Virtual reality device And do it Compatible with the conditions that Microgravity You will meet aboard the ISS. The challenge is huge as this is the first time these ‘mirrors’ have been used in space to get relief One of the most common problems faced by astronauts is: Isolation and circumstances Stress in space.
To usher in what will be continuous therapy on the ISS and other manned missions, Danish astronaut Andreas Mogensen He will be a player Guinea pig. During his tenure at the station, which is estimated to be 6 to 8 months, he will use the VIVE Focus 3 as a preventative measure to maintain his mental health.
Learn more: https://t.co/VkMzd0q6lq#SpaceX #ISS #MentalHealthInspace #VRIinnovation
— HTC VIVE (@htcvive) November 3, 2023
application device Virtual reality exists Modified, user tracking and orientation in microgravity conditions can be complex. In this case, Nord-Space Aps, HTC and XRHealth worked to develop Simulator mode And a tracking system with controllers to use the helmet without major problems.
Ser Wang, co-founder of HTC, highlighted the work done in recent months by his team and other companies and organizations involved in the project. Employer of Taiwan company is reassuring What:
NASA, ESA, XRHealth and Nord-Space Aps are using HTC VIVE technology to address humanity’s most complex challenges in space exploration: isolation and mental health (…) What an incredible honor our team faced unique challenges to configure the device. For use in microgravity conditions and pushing the limits of what is possible in VR. Astronauts can receive the same mental health benefits as those on Earth. It was a pioneering moment.
