Reversible Figures is a scientific experiment designed to investigate the adaptive nature of the neuro-vestibular system in the processing of gravitational information related to 3D visual perception.
Several reports indicate that the visual tracking abilities, perception, and reaction time deteriorate in both astronauts and cosmonauts. Misperception of the environment in microgravity affects, amoung others, astronaut performance on sensory-motor tasks such as operation of robotic manipulators, spatial orientation and navigation. These tasks are critical for scientific, maintenance and emergency operations during human spaceflight and exploration missions.
Reversible Figures is a European Space Agency research payload to be flown aboard the International Space Station (ISS) in early 2012 and used by crew members from International Partners . Designed by the scientific team via the International Space University (ISU) with Principal Investigator Dr. Gilles Clement, Reversible Figures is furthering research from the Image Reversal In Space ISU education experiment flown during ISS Expedition 20/21 in 2009.
