HTC and XRHealth Launch VR Headset to International Space Station for Astronaut Mental Health Experiment

Modified HTC Vive Focus 3 headset, partnered with XRHealth, aims to alleviate mental stress of astronauts during long space missions, testing viability of virtual reality tech in microgravity conditions.

HTC, in collaboration with XRHealth, is launching a modified HTC Vive Focus 3 VR headset to the International Space Station to conduct an experiment aimed at mitigating the mental stress faced by astronauts during long space missions.
Danish astronaut Andreas Mogensen will use the VR headset to participate in a “virtual assistance mental balance initiative” by Nord-Space ApS, examining the headset's ability to offer relief from the confinement and separation stresses associated with space missions.
The Vive Focus 3 VR headset has been tweaked to navigate the challenges of microgravity conditions, addressing issues of directional misalignment and motion sickness by basing its tracking algorithms on one of the controllers, providing relative orientation.
The mission will provide rigorous testing for HTC’s modified VR headset, examining its resilience in continuous weightless conditions. Successful results could unlock potential for more robust, VR offerings for future long-duration space missions, including potential journeys to Mars.
Accompanying the VR headset is specialized mental health software developed by XRHealth. This platform offers breathing exercises, meditation practices, and a range of 360-degree videos aimed at providing an immersive sense of home and relaxation.