---
title: "A Zero-G Jungle Gym Will Test How Microgravity Affects the Brain"
description: "Scientists now know that subjecting people to microgravity affects eyesight and perception. A new study will attempt to uncover the extent of the effects."
date: "2019-05-21"
modified: "2019-05-22"
authors:
  - name: "Dan Robitzski"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/danrobitzski"
url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/jungle-gym-microgravity-brain"
categories:
  - "Off-World"
  - "Space"
tags:
  - "medicine"
  - "neuroscience"
  - "space"
  - "the digest"
---

# A Zero-G Jungle Gym Will Test How Microgravity Affects the Brain

![Scientists now know that subjecting people to microgravity affects eyesight and perception. A new study will attempt to uncover the extent of the effects.](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/jungle-gym-microgravity-brain.png>)
*\<em\>Image: Novespace\</em\>*

## Flight Tests

A zero-gravity ropes course is about to help scientists understand how being in outer space [alters the human body](<https://futurism.com/neoscope/nasa-astronauts-brains-liquid>).

This week, European Space Agency (ESA) scientists will direct volunteers to climb around a special airplane capable of simulating both stronger and weaker gravitational pulls, according to a [press release](<https://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2019/05/Zero-G_Spiderman>). Not only is the study expected to contribute to our medical knowledge of life in space, but it could also prevent accidents by improving astronaut's hand-eye coordination while they operate a [spacecraft's robotic arm](<https://futurism.com/interview-nasa-insight-robotic-arm>) or free-float during in a spacewalk.

## Ropes Course

To learn how gravity affects depth perception and spatial navigation skills, ESA scientists built a sort of airborne jungle gym.

First, blindfolded research participants walk up to an object to get a feel for how far away it is from their starting position. Then, the plane either ascends, subjecting participants to a gravitational pull twice as strong as Earth's, or enters freefall and simulates the zero-gravity environment of space. Under those conditions, the blindfolded participants have to try and travel the correct distance to the object by pulling themselves along on a sled.

The idea is that once scientists have a quantifiable grasp on how altering gravity affects people's sense of distance, they may be able to find a way to fix the problem for future missions to space.

**READ MORE:** [Novespace microgravity experiment to make Zero-G Spider-Man](<https://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2019/05/Zero-G_Spiderman>) \[European Space Agency\]

**More on gravity:** *[Zero Gravity Causes Worrisome Changes in Astronauts' Brains](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/space-brain-body-medicine-shrink>)*

## Author
Dan Robitzki is a senior reporter for Futurism, where he likes to cover AI, tech ethics, and medicine. He spends his extra time fencing and streaming games from Los Angeles, California.

### Author social links  
[Twitter](<https://x.com/danrobitzski>)