As part of the Hungarian HUNOR program, researchers from the University of Pécs conducted a series of experiments aboard the International Space Station (ISS) during Axiom Mission 4 (June 25 – July 15, 2025). The mission has now been completed, with analysis of the collected data currently in progress. One of the key research initiatives, the MagyAR (Neuromotion VR) project, focused on how brain function, perception, and cognitive performance adapt to microgravity.
Monitoring Brain Activity in Space
At the core of the MagyAR study was functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), used to monitor changes in cerebral oxygenation and brain activity in orbit. The system deployed on the ISS was provided by Cortivision, enabling stable, non-invasive neuroimaging in microgravity conditions.
fNIRS proved particularly suitable for this environment due to its robustness against motion and external interference. Within the experiment, it was used to capture how fluid shifts and altered oxygen delivery-well-documented effects of microgravity-affect neural processes associated with cognition.
The study combined fNIRS with virtual reality (VR) and eye-tracking, forming a multimodal framework for assessing mental performance. Astronauts performed cognitive and motor tasks in a controlled VR setting while brain activity and physiological responses were recorded simultaneously.
Experimental Scope
Measurements were conducted at multiple stages of the mission, enabling observation of both immediate and progressive adaptations to space conditions. The experiment focused on:
- cerebral blood flow and changes in blood oxygenation,
- attention and executive functions,
- planning and executing movements.
Complementary biological data, including saliva samples, were collected to track metabolic changes.
Mission Status and Next Steps
The in-orbit phase of the MagyAR experiment has been successfully completed. Detailed scientific results are expected following full post-mission data analysis.
Broader Research Context
The MagyAR project was part of a wider set of experiments conducted by the University of Pécs, including:
- ESEL3D, examining the behavior of 3D-printed materials in space conditions,
- Step in Space (SiS), a virtual reality initiative presenting the mission and its experiments,
- additional biomedical and plant-based studies conducted within consortium projects.
See the MagyAR Experiment in Action
A short video prepared by the HUNOR team presents the MagyAR experiment, showcasing the integration of virtual reality and fNIRS to study cognitive and motor processes in microgravity.
To explore how this technology is used toward brain-computer interface applications in space, read more about the PhotonGrav in our dedicated article: PhotonGrav: Pioneering BCI in Space
Source
This blog post is based on information from the official website the University of Pécs and official page of the Hungarian Astronaut Programme, HUNOR: