Art-Themed Virtual Reality for Mitigating Isolation on Long-Duration Space Missions

Abstract
The space industry presents new challenges with the involvement of diverse individuals, particularly concerning extended isolation. Reports from astronauts and studies during analogue missions highlight isolation as a significant stressor, intensified during long missions like those to Mars. Hence, exploring restorative stimuli is vital to alleviate psychosocial stressors that could affect mission success. In September 2023, the World Health Organization, with the Jameel Arts & Health Lab, emphasized the transformative role of arts in advancing well-being. This presentation discusses how art can enhance the health and well-being of humans in space, proposing a theoretical framework to integrate artistic content into Virtual Reality (VR) environments. These environments could aid isolated individuals, including astronauts on long missions and people on Earth. While VR’s potential in mitigating isolation has been explored, the incorporation of artistic content and its benefits remain understudied in scholarly articles. Grounded in art therapy and psychological theories like Attention Restoration Theory (ART), the paper addresses conceptual and practical bases and presents creative explorations for developing artistic VR experiments by drawing inspiration from the natural world and abstract art to be evaluated in space isolation and its analogous conditions.

Tjasa Savoric bio
Tjasa Savoric is a full-time PhD student at Deakin University (Australia) and Coventry University (United Kingdom). Her research interests lie at the intersection of art history, digital humanities, human-centred design, XR (Extended Reality), and serious game design. She earned her Master’s degree in 2017 with distinction in Art History and Philosophy from the University of Maribor, Slovenia. Tjasa combines her expertise in cultural heritage and art history with XR technology to explore new avenues for communicating art and its benefits in promoting wellbeing. In her PhD thesis, she is investigating the potential of virtual reality in addressing psychological challenges associated with isolation, with a particular focus on individuals in the ICU (Intensive Care Units) and analogue astronauts.

Kaja Antlej bio
Dr Kaja Antlej is Senior Lecturer in Industrial Design and Researcher at the CADET Virtual Reality Training and Simulation Research Lab, School of Engineering, Deakin University, Australia. Her research interests lie in the intersection between human-centered design, extended reality, human space exploration, futures thinking, well-being, digital heritage and virtual museums. Kaja obtained her BSc/MSc (2008) in Industrial Design and a PhD (2013) in Museum and Heritage Studies, both from the University of Ljubljana. She is also an alumna of the International Space University (2021). Dr Antlej is the Chair of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Melbourne Section and an Expert Member of the Committee for the Cultural Utilisation of Space (ITACCUS), a technical committee of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF).

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