Dynamic visual acuity as a biometric for astronaut performance and safety.

Area of Science:

• Space medicine
• Human physiology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Astronauts face extreme environments requiring high dynamic visual acuity (DVA).
• Spaceflight is known to significantly decrease DVA, impacting astronaut performance.
• Reduced DVA can contribute to space motion sickness and mission risks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the importance of DVA for astronauts.
• To propose DVA assessment during spaceflight and G-transitions.
• To understand the vestibulo-ocular impacts of space travel.

Main Methods:

• This paper is a conceptual review and suggestion of future research.
• It discusses the known effects of spaceflight on visual acuity.
• It proposes specific assessment points for DVA.

Main Results:

• Dynamic visual acuity (DVA) is crucial for astronauts.
• Spaceflight demonstrably decreases DVA.
• This decrease poses risks to mission performance and astronaut health.

Conclusions:

• Assessing DVA during spaceflight is recommended.
• Monitoring DVA during G-transitions is important.
• Understanding DVA changes can improve astronaut safety and mission success, especially for Mars missions.