On Earth, human beings can feel and "see" the effects of gravity on their bodies and surroundings. The human brain naturally takes gravity into account in several cerebral processes used for orientation, visual perception and motor control. In microgravity, however, many 'normal' references are lacking: objects float in space and the notions of 'up' and 'down' are no longer relevant. As a result, the brain receives unfamiliar information. Could this mean that the disorders experienced by astronauts are due to certain processes being altered by changes in the gravitational field? How does the brain adapt?
In conjunction with a number of French research laboratories, the French space agency CNES has developed a neurosensory stimulation platform, 'SENS', based on virtual reality. This unit can be used for neuroscience experiments involving astronauts before, during and after flights on the ISS.
Two Wacom Intuos3 A4 tablets are being utilised as part of the neuroscientific research project known as '3D Space'. The '3D Space' project aims to examine changes in astronauts' mental representations of their surrounding environment.
"3D Space is designed to test the hypothesis that altered visual perception affects motor control," explains Eric Lorigny, payload developer at CNES. "The astronaut is asked to reproduce shapes or text on the pen tablet. The pen tablet allows us to record and analyse the reactions both on earth and in space."
Guido Möller, Wacom Europe's product manager of professional products, worked closely with the CNES: "This is a very special milestone in Wacom's history and we are very proud that the European Space Agency chose the Intuos3 to use for its research".
The Intuos3 is a series of ten pen tablets aiming at professional users. It is used in various areas ranging from design to medical applications. Each tablet features a resolution of 5,080 dpi and Wacom's patented cordless and battery free pen has 1,024 levels of pressure sensitivity. The Intuos3 now has been qualified for use in space by CNES.
For further information on the ISS '3D Space' project go to:
http://www.cnes.fr/
http://www.nasa.gov/
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For more information about Wacom and Wacom products, please contact Glenn Tsunekawa at appress[at]wacom.co.jp.
Wacom Company Ltd., (Tokyo Stock Exchange 6727), is a global company based in Japan with subsidiaries in the United States (Wacom Technology Corporation)
