Re: spacesickness (was Re: NASA HONORS LEGENDARY ASTRONAUT VANCE BRAND)



Craig Fink wrote:

Would it be possible to create some tasks such as taking a star fix or
lining the craft up with the horizon that would force the crew to focus
outside the ship?




Cutting off sensory input often helps with motion sickness, like closing
your eyes. But, it's hard to get things done that way.


Back when the Army was test flying this crazy thing: http://www.unrealaircraft.com/wings/thumbs/platform.jpg
They found out something very interesting related to this discussion. The first tests with this concept were done by having a pilot stand on a wooden disc that was held aloft by a powerful air jet mounted on its bottom, and which was controlled by the pilot shifting his weight as he held onto the control cage that surrounded him- this worked great as long as he kept his eyes on the horizon, as he would instinctively shift his position to keep the disc level, but heaven help him if he ever looked down at the disc itself- as without any visual reference to guide him he'd go out of control almost instantly.
The tests were quite fun to watch as pilots moved from a stable hover to heading toward the wall at high velocity in a matter of a couple of seconds.
I assume the gyroscopic effect of the counter rotating rotors helped smooth out and slow down this transition some.

Pat
.

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