Danish astronaut Andreas Mogensen will soon receive an HTC Vive Focus 3 virtual reality (VR) headset as part of a resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS). This initiative, led by HTC VIVE in collaboration with XRHealth and Nord-Space Aps, aims to support the mental well-being of astronauts working in space.
The VR headset will provide astronauts with a mental escape from the challenges and stressors of space. While space is often associated with tranquility, the reality is far more demanding. Astronauts experience isolation, confined living quarters, and constant noise from machinery. The VR-based therapy on the HTC Vive Focus 3 is designed to alleviate these stressors.
Adapting VR technology for microgravity environments was a challenge for HTC VIVE. Traditional VR headsets rely on gravity vectors for orientation, which are absent in space. To overcome this, HTC VIVE developed a unique tracking methodology that utilized a controller as a reference point, compensating for the absence of gravitational forces. The company also conducted extensive power management testing to ensure a consistent and reliable power source on board the ISS.
Andreas Mogensen, the commander of Expedition 70 on the ISS, personally selected immersive 360° videos for the VR therapy. These videos feature scenes aimed at relaxation and meditation, such as swimming with dolphins, watching sunsets, and listening to birdsongs. The HTC Vive Focus 3 has already been used in astronaut training on Earth, simulating emergency spacewalk situations using VIVE Pro 2 and VIVE Trackers.
HTC VIVE expressed pride in the collaboration and highlighted the belief in technology’s power to shape a better future. This project marks the first deployment of the HTC Vive Focus 3 in space and showcases the versatility and effectiveness of VR technology in astronaut training and well-being.
The development was featured in a blog post by HTC VIVE, acknowledging the contributions of various partners, including Nord-Space Aps, XRHealth, the European Space Agency, and NASA. The company looks forward to pushing the boundaries of what is possible with technology and believes in the transformative potential of innovation and collaboration.
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