Microgravity Vestibular Investigations (MVI)

The vestibular system, using the stimulus of gravity and motion-detecting organs in the inner ear, provides input to the brain for orientation. When environmental conditions change so the body receives new stimuli, the nervous system responds by interpreting the sensory information. In the absence of gravity, however, input from the sensors is changed, prompting the nervous system to develop a new interpretation of the stimuli.
Payload on STS-42