LogInESA's Andreas Mogensen showed what helps him through the day.
You can't surprise anyone with a VR headset nowadays, it's an ordinary part of life for many gamers. However, Earth is not the only place where you can use it, and the tech might be more important than we think.
European Space Agency's astronaut Andreas Mogensen demonstrated how he uses HTC VIVE Focus 3 to maintain both mental and physical health. Obviously, astronauts' psychological well-being is extremely important, especially since they can spend a long time in isolation, away from home. Virtual reality helps feel closer to familiar sights with several scenes you can explore there.
Image credit: European Space Agency
The Virtual Assistance Mental Balance (VAMB) experiment conducted by Mogensen allows him to enjoy nature in one of the 5 environments, including a sunset view, a day at the beach, a mountain path, and a summer day next to a river.
"When I put on the virtual reality headset, I can hear the wind rustling through the leaves, hear the birds singing, I can almost feel the warmth of the sun. I didn't actually expect it would make much of a difference but I found that I love wearing this headset. It takes me into nature, it makes me feel like I'm out in nature, that I'm outside of the space station, away from this artificial environment, and it really de-stresses me."
Image credit: European Space Agency
As for the second experiment, Mogensen uses VR for exercise. He cycles on the space station’s exercise bike through different routes in Denmark, and it's now one of his favorite things to do. He rides through the woods, along the beach, in the countryside, and in Copenhagen – a diverse track that keeps him in shape and right mind.
The setup simulates the ups and downs of the road by increasing and decreasing the load so it feels more realistic.
Image credit: European Space Agency
Mogensen noted that one of the challenges of using a VR headset in space is that it doesn't know where the horizon is, it can't sense gravity. This issue has been solved by a controller, which serves as an anchor point.
Overall, the experience seems promising and truly important for astronauts. Mogensen has recently returned to Earth, so he can now enjoy the real views here.
Find out more here and join our 80 Level Talent platform and our Telegram channel, follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn, where we share breakdowns, the latest news, awesome artworks, and more.