Aerospace Disorientation and the Vomit Comet

Vision is by far the most important of the senses in aerospace travel. Because of the adaptability of the human mind to changing situations, it is unlikely that unmanned fighter interceptors, airliners and space ships destined for complex missions will supersede the human interface within the cockpit, Remember that over half the Input to our brains is through the eyes, and that over half the output of our central nervous systems serves to make a platform for stabilization arid control of the visual system. Despite nearly complete automation of flight control systems of our modern day aircraft and space ships, the importance of vision is even furthered by computer displays such as the heads up display (HUD) of our modern fighter aircraft. The use of computers to enhance visual images for display purposes relies heavily on visual interpretation of the information provided, The demands upon the physiology of the pilot/ astronaut in sometimes hostile circumstances are considerable, and require enormous efforts from very basic life support to a myriad of minor details usually taken totally for granted in our everyday lives. Much of the stress affects visual perception and the stabilization thereof by the vestibular system.