The vestibular system arises from a complex set of sensory transducer organs in the inner ear. It comprises three orthogonal semicircular canals that detect rotational acceleration of the head in three-dimensional space, alongside two otolith organs – the utricle and saccule – that sense translational acceleration and encode head orientation relative to gravity.

Gravity is a constant and fundamental force that shapes the development, physiology and behaviour of all organisms on Earth. Vestibular organs are finely tuned to detect the gravitational vector, providing the brain with essential information to maintain balance, coordinate movement and control posture. When gravity is altered – such as during weightlessness or under the partial gravity of the Moon or Mars – this precisely calibrated system is disrupted, highlighting the extent to which vestibular processing is adapted to terrestrial conditions. Understanding these responses is critical for defining the limits of neural plasticity and behavioural adaptation in novel environmental contexts.

In this talk, I will present our research integrating psychophysics, neuroimaging, computational modelling, and space science studies to investigate how vestibular signals are represented in the human brain and how these representations shape behaviour. I will examine their contributions not only to reflexive motor control and postural stability but also to perception, multisensory integration and higher-level cognition. Finally, I will discuss the implications of these findings for neural plasticity and human adaptation beyond Earth, offering insight into the challenges of living in space.