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Perceived orientation in free-fall dependson visual, postural, and architectural factorsIn orbital flight and in the free-fall phase of parabolic flight, feelings of inversion of self and spacecraft, or aircraft, are often experienced. It is shown here that perceived orientation in free-fall is dependent on the position of one's body in relation to the aircraft, the architectural features of the aircraft, and one's visual appreciation of the relative configurations of his body and the aircraft. Compelling changes in the apparent orientation of one's body and of the aircraft can be reliably and systematically induced by manipulating this relationship. Moreover, while free-floating in the absence of visual, touch, and pressure stimulation, all sense of orientation to the surroundings may be lost with only an awareness of the relative configuration of the body preserved. The absences of falling sensations during weightlessness points to the importance of visual and cognitive factors in eliciting such sensations.
Document ID
19830036976
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Lackner, J. R.
(Brandeis University Waltham, MA, United States)
Graybiel, A.
(U.S. Naval Aerospace Medical Center Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory, Pensacola, FL, United States)
Date Acquired
August 11, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1983
Subject Category
Behavioral Sciences
Accession Number
83A18194
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS9-15147
CONTRACT_GRANT: NASA ORDER T-9140-E
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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