Study of space perception functioning during simulation of certain space flight factors

The results are reported of spatial perception function studies in 130 healthy males of 17-35 years of age and in 33 people with complete or partial inhibition of the function of the labyrinth (deaf-mutes). The comparative magnitudes of gravitational vertical perception impairments were studied during vestibular stimulation (Coriolis and linear acceleration), as well as during clino-orthostatic and antiorthostatic hypokinesia. Hypokinesia to a certain extent permitted the simulation of the blood redistribution in weightlessness. The ability of the subjects to determine the subjective visual vertical was used as the test criterion. The experiments have shown that the magnitude of the observed changes in the human sensory area depends on the physical properties of the vestibular stimulus, on the angle of inclination of the head of the bed during hypokinesia and on the duration of bed rest, but not necessarily on the level of vestibular tolerance. Possible mechanisms of impairment of perception in the space flight environment are discussed. Examinations of spatial perception function are useful during selection procedures for astronauts and airmen.