NASA is collaborating with the U.S. Navy to leverage the Kraken, a 50-foot-long machine designed to study motion sickness, particularly in astronauts. The Kraken can simulate various flight conditions that induce disorientation, such as spinning and abrupt shifts in orientation, mirroring the experiences astronauts face during launches and landings, where symptoms like dizziness and nausea can impair critical tasks.
In an upcoming study, 24 active-duty service members will ride the Kraken for 60 minutes, experiencing accelerations of up to three times gravity to simulate return-to-Earth conditions. Post-ride, participants will perform balance and coordination tasks to assess the impact of head movements on recovery from motion sickness.
The research aims to determine if specific head movements can help astronauts readjust to gravitational changes, potentially enhancing protocols for future missions, including those to Mars. Additionally, the study will include civilian patients suffering from balance issues related to inner ear surgery, testing whether the same head movements can aid recovery. This project continues a historical partnership between NASA and the Navy to address motion-related challenges, ultimately contributing to advancements in both space travel and therapies for public health.
