Wacom, the leading manufacturer of pen tablets, interactive pen displays and intuitive interface devices, today announces that the Intuos3 A4 pen tablet is the first to be used in outer space. Astronauts are using the pen tablet in a series of experiments analysing the way they perceive distances and dimensions during their instance in the universal Space Station (ISS).

On Earth, folks can feel and “see” the effects of gravity on their bodies and surroundings. The human brain naturally takes gravity into explanation in several cerebral processes used for orientation, visual perception and motor control. In microgravity, however, many ‘normal’ references are lost: objects drift in space and the notions of ‘up’ and

In conjunction with a number of French research laboratories, the French space agency CNES has developed a neurosensory stimulation platform, ‘SENS’, based on virtual reality. that unit can be used for neuroscience experiments involving astronauts before, during and after flights on the ISS.

Two Wacom Intuos3 A4 tablets are being utilised as part of the neuroscientific research project known as ‘3D Space’. The ‘3D Space’ project aims to examine changes in astronauts’ mental representations of their surrounding environment.

“3D Space is designed to pop quiz the speculation that altered visual perception affects motor control,” explains Eric Lorigny, payload developer at CNES. “The astronaut is asked to reproduce shapes or text on the pen tablet. The pen tablet allows us to record and analyse the reactions both on earth and in space.”

Guido Möller, Wacom’s product manager professional products, worked closely with the CNES: “This is a very special milestone in Wacom’s history and we are very proud that the European Space Agency chose the Intuos3 to use for its research”.