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Quantification of reaction time and time perception during Space Shuttle operations.
D A Ratino1, D W Repperger, C Goodyear
1Armstrong Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory, Aerospace Medical Division, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio 45433-6573.
Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine
|March 1, 1988
Summary
Astronauts experienced altered reaction times and overestimated short time intervals during spaceflight, potentially linked to space motion sickness. These changes in perception were most pronounced for shorter durations.
Area of Science:
- Spaceflight physiology
- Human factors in aerospace
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Spaceflight poses unique challenges to human sensory and cognitive functions.
- Understanding cognitive changes during space missions is crucial for astronaut health and performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of spaceflight on reaction time and time perception.
- To correlate changes in cognitive performance with space motion sickness.
Main Methods:
- A microprocessor-based test battery was used.
- Tasks included simple reaction time, choice reaction time, and time perception.
- Data were collected from four crewmembers on a 1985 Space Shuttle flight.
Main Results:
- A correlation was observed between altered reaction time and space motion sickness symptoms.
- Shortest duration time perception tasks (2 s) were progressively overestimated during the mission.
- Longer duration time estimation tasks (8, 12, 16 s) were less affected.
Conclusions:
- Spaceflight significantly impacts reaction time and time perception.
- Overestimation of short durations may be an indicator of physiological adaptation or stress during spaceflight.
- Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms behind these cognitive alterations.