“While in microgravity, astronauts have a harder time reaching and pointing to objects than when they are on Earth. This could be critical in emergency situations,” says Dr. Barry Fowler, a neuroscientist in York University’s Faculty of Health. He is researching the causes of this reduction in hand-eye coordination, via an experiment called “Perceptual Motor Deficits in Space” (PMDIS).

Dr. Fowler says space shuttle pilots and payload operators need quick and accurate hand-eye coordination to manoeuvre objects in space. “For example, to dock the shuttle safely at the International Space Station, the pilot must be accurate within a few centimetres while both vehicles move through space at 30,000 km per hour,” he says.

The PMDIS experiment resembles a simple computer game: astronauts aboard the space shuttle will be asked to tap targets on a computer screen. In some trials astronauts will use a joystick to click on the targets, while in others they will tap directly on the screen with a pointer. The difficulty of the task will vary with the size of the targets. In other trials that simulate multi-tasking, astronauts will be asked to push a button in response to a musical tone while hitting targets.

The astronauts will perform these tasks while floating in the microgravity of space, and also when supported by a seatbelt and wrist band keeping them in a stable position. The computer will record the speed and accuracy of the target taps.

The results of the PMDIS experiment will help Dr. Fowler and his team determine if the loss in hand-eye coordination is due to one or a combination of the following:

1. the brain not adapting fully to the weightlessness of space
   
2. the difficulty of performing mechanical tasks like pressing a button while you are floating in space
   
3. distractions caused by flashing lights, floating objects and co-workers, and some very spectacular scenery

“Once we know the 'why' of perceptual motor deficits in space, researchers can start looking at how to remedy this problem,” Dr. Fowler says. Countermeasures could include instruments that take into account limited coordination capacities during weightlessness. This research could also lead to insights in the medical field on how the brain adapts to disease or injury that can confound hand-eye coordination.

Space Shuttle Endeavour is set to launch at 6:36 pm EDT from NASA's Kennedy Space Center.

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