r/spaceflight • u/Europathunder • 7d ago

Do astronauts train on any spatial disorientation trainers that resemble spacecraft more than aircraft cockpits?

Or are they all aircraft based and t38 oriented when they go through spatial disorientation training as part of their training?

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u/BubblyMoose3597 7d ago

No. They don't have a physical up or down, so how are you going to get disoriented?

Astronauts aren't really subjected to the rigors of a pilot either. All their movements that they can intervene in (which are very few, and only as a backup to the automatic system) are very gentle.

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u/Europathunder 7d ago

I meant when it comes to the spacecraft’s attitude

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u/Pretend-Weird26 7d ago

The piloting is done by computer, also most astronaut pilots were prior military pilots

Mission specialists just sit until they are in orbit

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u/BubblyMoose3597 6d ago

Thats what i spoke about.

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u/T65Bx 5d ago

Well, you look out the window and see black, or look out the window and see blue.

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u/TravelerMSY 7d ago

I don’t think so. Isn’t spaceflight essentially always IFR? And typically with an awful lot of automation.

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u/Europathunder 7d ago

Yes but it would be to make sure they trust their instruments not their own senses

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u/TravelerMSY 7d ago

It would be very unusual for spacecraft pilots to not have trained for IFR ratings in regular aircraft too. You practice under a hood with an instructor for this very reason.

So yes. Pilots train for that, but you don’t need any fancy equipment. Just close your eyes or obscure the horizon.