SIRIUS (Scientific International Research in Unique Terrestrial Station) is a series of on-land isolation experiments modelling long-term spaceflight in order to assess the psychophysiological effects of isolation on a crew and prepare for long-duration spaceflights, such as a trip to Mars. An 8-month-long isolation study commenced in Moscow on Nov 4th, 2021, where a crew of 6 people (from Roscosmos, NASA and space agency of Arabic Emirates) went into a special facility modelling a spacecraft, remaining there until July 2022 simulating an extraplanetary journey and participating in 70 experiments prepared by international research teams.
As part of a DLR sponsored study implemented by Charité — Universitätsmedizin Berlin, and led by PI Alex Stahn a VR experience was designed to augment sensory stimulation during prolonged isolation and confinement.The approach is specifically targeted at astronauts to mitigate some of the psychological stressors associated with long-duration exploratory space missions. The VR experience was designed to their connection to Earth and humanity as well as the importance of their own mission. The elements of the virtual experience were inspired by research on self-transcendent phenomena such as meditation, witnessing vast nature, awe-inspiring aurora and solar eclipse, and the overview effect that have been shown to have positive effects on behavior, mental well-being, and health.
Here’s the recent GlobalNews coverage on our SIRIUS Earthgazing project: [note that this project was created by a whole team of people as described in the below credits, not just one PhD student]
Contributions
Alex Stahn: Funding acquisition, Project administration, Supervision, Conceptualization, Methodology (Experimental Design), Resources; Bernhard Riecke: Conceptualization, Methodology (Experimental Design, Narrative concept), Supervision, Resources; Noah Miller: Software, Methodology (Art Design, Experimental Design, Experience Design & Development), Data Curation; John Desnoyers-Stewart: Software, Methodology (Art Design, Experience Design & Development, Narrative Concept); Katerina Stepanova: Methodology (Art Design, Narrative concept, Voiceover, Experimental Design), Investigation, Data Curation; Ashu Adhikari: Software, Methodology (Art Design, Experience Design & Development); Patrick Pennefather: Methodology (Art Design, Sound Design); Alex Kitson: Methodology (Narrative concept, Art Design); Denise Quesnel: Methodology (Narrative concept, Art Design); Katharina Brauns: Methodology (Experimental Design), Data Curation, Investigation; Anika Friedl-Werner: Methodology (Experimental Design), Data Curation, Investigation
Artists Credits
Artists: Noah Miller, John Desnoyers-Stewart, Katerina Stepanova, Ashu Adhikari, Bernhard Riecke, Patrick Pennefather, Alex Kitson, Denise Quesnel ■ Experience Design and Development: Noah Miller, John Desnoyers-Stewart, Ashu Adhikari ■ Direction: Bernhard Riecke ■ Narrative and Concept: Katerina Stepanova, John Desnoyers-Stewart, Alex Kitson, Denise Quesnel ■ Voiceover: Katerina Stepanova ■ Sound Design: Patrick Pennefather
Publications and exhibits
http://ispace.iat.sfu.ca/wp-content/plugins/zotpress/
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Stepanova, K. (2021, October 31). Virtual reality can combat isolation with awe and empathy — on Earth and in space.
The Conversation.
http://theconversation.com/virtual-reality-can-combat-isolation-with-awe-and-empathy-on-earth-and-in-space-170189
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Miller, N., Desnoyers-Stewart, J., Stepanova, E. R., Adhikari, A., Kitson, A. J., Quesnel, D. T., Pennefather, P., & Riecke, B. E. (2021, October 1).
Sirius [Curated & peer-reviewed Virtual Reality Exhibition]. V-Unframed, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
https://www.alliancefrancaise.ca/v-unframed/the-artworks/sirius/
Media coverage
http://ispace.iat.sfu.ca/wp-content/plugins/zotpress/
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SFU project to help astronauts deal with isolation. (2021, December 9). In
Global News. Global News.
https://globalnews.ca/video/8439499/sfu-project-to-help-astronauts-deal-with-isolation/
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Earthgazing VR experience to help astronauts cope with loneliness. (2021, November 3).
SFU News — Simon Fraser University.
https://www.sfu.ca/sfunews/stories/2021/11/earthgazing-vr-experience-to-help-astronauts-cope-with-lonelines.html
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SFU researchers create virtual reality experience to help astronauts manage loneliness in space. (2021, November 22).
The Peak.
https://the-peak.ca/2021/11/sfu-researchers-create-virtual-reality-experience-to-help-astronauts-manage-loneliness-in-space/
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Sajwar, R. (2021, November 16). This New Earthgazing VR Experience Will Help Astronauts Cope With Loneliness In Space.
Wonderful Engineering.
https://wonderfulengineering.com/this-new-earthgazing-vr-experience-will-help-astronauts-cope-with-loneliness-in-space/
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McDonald, B. (2021, November 11). Canadian VR technology will aid isolation effects on a simulated long duration space flight.
CBC Radio.
https://www.cbc.ca/radio/quirks/canadian-vr-technology-will-aid-isolation-effects-on-a-simulated-long-duration-space-flight-1.6245516
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SFU’s Earthgazing VR Experience Can Help Astronauts Deal with Isolation. (2021, November 5).
AR VR News.
https://arvrnews.co/vr-news/sfus-earthgazing-vr-experience-can-help-astronauts-deal-with-isolation/
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Karamali, K. (2021, December 10). B.C. student’s VR tech gets lift off in experiment on astronaut loneliness | Globalnews.ca.
Global News.
https://globalnews.ca/news/8440729/sfu-virtual-reality-space-astronauts-loneliness/
Support & Acknowledgement
The study is supported through DLR grant 50WB1915 and ESA project AO-SIRIUS-2019 (PI: Dr. AC Stahn, Charité Berlin) and additional support SSHRC and NSERC
