Virtual reality could cut motion sickness in space travel

Virtual reality headsets could be the key in helping astronauts. REPRESENTATION PIC/GETTY IMAGES

Virtual reality (VR) headsets could be the key to helping astronauts overcome motion sickness when returning to Earth. When astronauts go into space, their brains get confused because they've never experienced gravity. On Earth, the brain expects that "down" always exists as your inner ear tells you so.

However, in microgravity (like in Earth's orbit), that signal disappears. To this end, the brain's expectations don't match the new reality, and that mismatch causes space motion sickness (nausea, dizziness, disorientation) during space travel.

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever