The cognilab instrument: A neurosciences laboratory in the MIR orbital station

摘要

COGNILAB is a modular laboratory dedicated to Neuroscience and robotic studies during the French/Russian space flights onboard MIR. These studies are aimed at understanding the changes in cognitive processes occurring in microgravity. The instrument is used to study the mechanisms employed by the central nervous system during perception of visual images, manual forces, or time intervals, and to evaluate the adaptive capacities of the brain when reconstructing the global perception of the body in microgravity. The main components of COGNILAB are: 1. a computer with software to control the instrument and direct the experiment; 2. an LCD graphics monitor; 3. a force-reflecting hand controller, called ROBOTOP; 4. a body restraint chair; 5. a set of accessories, such as a touch-sensitive screen, an audio headset, tendon vibrators and a visual isolation system.Within the CASSIOPEE mission, in August 1996, eight experiments were performed: "Force & Movement" 1. ◇Perception of Forces. 2. ◇Production of Forces. 3. ◇Compliant Movement. 4. ◇Pointing. 5. ◇Perception of Durations "Visual Perception & Orientation". 6. ◇Perception of Symmetries. 7. ◇Perception of Faces. "Robotics and Remote Operation"8. ◇Tactile Force Feedback. The instrument will be reused during other French - Russian missions and as part of the NASA-MIR Phase 1B program.