EGOCENTRIC REFERENCES AND HUMAN SPATIAL ORIENTATION IN MICROGRAVITY

This paper is devoted to the results of the ''tactile matrix'' experim ent performed during the second French-Soviet spaceflight (project Ara gatz). The perception of the orientation of complex tactile stimuli (l etters and digits) applied to different skin areas under varied condit ions was studied. The task of interpretation of complex tactile stimul i was not affected by the absence of the gravitational vertical, altho ugh this task is closely associated with mechanisms for the perception of body configuration, as well as the spatial orientation of differen t body parts. The number of errors made under conditions of weightless ness was often even less than on Earth. The results confirm the high s tability of the egocentric reference system and provide evidence that this system is based on a body scheme which cannot be easily modified by changing external conditions.