Virtual Reality Based Training Methods for Navigation in Space Station

To train astronauts' navigation skills which rely on visual cues in weightlessness, two virtual training methods were proposed and discussed. Firstly, we employed virtual reality technique to establish a simulated space station, providing variable viewpoints for astronauts' movement with different body orientations. Then an experiment was conducted by comparing "Local" method which emphasized local visual verticals with "Global" method which focused on the entire space station. Experimental results show that training methods have a significant effect on navigation performance. Local training enhances landmark and route knowledge, global training helps to develop an integrated cognitive map and fits for evacuation training under low visibility conditions.