The challenges long-duration space travellers experience are not foreign to regular folk, although to a lesser degree.
Many Canadians experienceisolation and loneliness, at least occasionally.
COVID-19 lockdowns have createdan environment for the largest isolation study in research history.
The feeling of connection is crucially important for a happy, healthy and meaningful life.
It is safer and cheaper to perform on-land simulations to assess the effects of isolation on the crew.
SIRIUS-21 is an eight-month isolation studyin Moscow that begins on Nov. 4, 2021.
Living in isolation inevitably limits our opportunities for experiencing awe.
My doctoral research investigates the potential of immersive technologies like VR to elicit feelings of connection and support well-being.
Finally, participants orbit around the Earth, reflecting on the interconnectedness of all life on our planet.
We will have the opportunity to study the response to our Earthgazing VR experience in Moscow.
The power of VR
Our VR experience could be beneficial for mitigating effects of isolation.
VR, while often presented as an isolating technology, has been explored as a tool for eliciting connections.
This growing body of research reflects VRs promise to help mitigate the negative effects of isolation.
But in the absence of these opportunities, VR could provide a needed boost of self-transcendent emotions.
