Weird things you have accomplished

[kentauros]

139. That sounds like it was more to train you to control it.

The testing I went through was the preliminary to a second phase where they then did all the same tests with you on anti-motion-sickness drugs. I never finished the first phase, probably due to something like college class days interfering with their schedule. If I had been able to finish it, that would have meant a chance to go up in the Vomit Comet KC-135 even if the first time up, you're strapped in. The free floating bits are only allowed in the second phase.

The chair test involved a partially enclosed area so that you could periodically see out into the open of their testing area. I think there was also a line painted on the walls to indicate the horizon. I believe the chair spun at 45rpm and there were three pads you had to touch with your head. One in front about chest level, and one to either side of the head. You had to touch them at regular intervals, like every few seconds while the chair was in motion.

There were two sessions in the chair. The first had it in the 90 degree upright position. The second had it 15-degrees off-axis. Now the horizon was wobbling, and they still wanted you to touch the pads like before. I think I lasted all of a single minute before I motioned them to stop me. They had observers watching the whole time and knew what symptoms to look for. The color was gone from my face and my palms were clammy. And I didn't feel so good

It did teach me how much the inner ear relies on how we perceive the horizon and how important it is to actually see it. They had a balance beam test that showed just how easy it is to lose your balance when you can't see the horizon. It's all fascinating to me, but I must say I don't think I'd do very well in a pressure chamber. I'm a sea-level only kind of guy