TIMMINS – Stardust Technologies is on a mission to bring virtual reality to unprecedented levels.
The Cochrane-based tech company is exploring how Earth-bound activity can help improve the mental health of astronauts while aboard the International Space Station (ISS) – and finally when traveling at a distance.
“It’s very important that astronauts feel like they’re on Earth,” said the company’s chief technology officer, Jawad El Houssine.
“VR technology will be very, very useful for this.”
Testing VR zero gravity
The team is the first to use Facebook’s Oculus Quest VR headset in this way and is collaborating with the Space Agency of Canada and the National Monitoring Council of Canada to test how it will work alongside outer Earth – since the technology was created to first work with the gravity of this planet.
Shy away from going into space themselves to study this, Stardust has been conducting test flights in Ottawa, using a plane that may resemble gravity in space, on its own. moon and Mars.
“We managed to make Oculus Quest work 100 percent in zero gravity,” Jawad said, after just doing a couple test flights so far.
The symbol of the Earth … in space
This is part of what the company calls ‘Project EDEN,’ which aims to create a fully immersed experience of the Earth in space – using a combination of reality, artificial intelligence and a suit of knowledge. -haptic back that resembles sensations such as wind, rain and friction.
The company’s CEO, Jason Michaud, said the project aims to help astronauts with feelings of nostalgia, loneliness, loneliness and stress. He compares it to feelings that many people on Earth have suffered during the pandemic.
“Our EDEN project is going to be focused on making simulations where you can play, let’s say golf in microgravity, for the astronauts,” Michaud said.
“If you like, you could play hockey, do some thinking with other people on Earth who might be, with the astronauts while on the International Space Station.”
(Outside this) world of opportunity
Michaud has ambitions for the project. He sees it in use on the moon, when NASA builds its lunar base planned for 2024 – and even on its last human trip to Mars.
The need to entertain on long journeys is not a new concept for humanity, said El Houssine, thinking all the way back to the 15th century, when Spaniards played games and sang. songs on the journey to the New World.
It’s a reason why people will need more advanced entertainment and immersion as we travel through space, he said. Work is therefore continuing to ensure that Project EDEN is ready for future work on the ISS and space travel.
“We hope to be able to have (astronaut) next year on the International Space Station directly,” Michaud said.
While many more microgravity test trips are needed to get to that point, he said.
‘I believe you can achieve anything’
In terms of exploring the potential of technology to help with mental health, especially loneliness, Michaud said he plans to take El Houssine on his own journey to test the technology on his own – in Antarctica.
Reflecting on the progress of ‘Project EDEN’ and his company – which also serves the mining and pharmaceutical industries – Michaud is credited for building it in northern Ontario.
He hopes to inspire young people in the area with the potential of technology – and hopes to increase the number of entrepreneurs in the area.
“As long as you work for it and the community can support you, I believe you can achieve anything. “