Advanced Technology for Human Support in Space (1997) / Chapter Skim
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5 SPACE HUMAN FACTORS
5 SPACE HUMAN FACTORS
Pages 97-112
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From page 97... ...
The mission of OLMSA SHF personnel is to understand the impact of SHF on crowed missions, to collect and interpret relevant human factors data in support of space and aerospace missions, to provide operational support for ongoing missions and mission planning, and to make available human factors data, research, and experimental studies to the aviation and aerospace communities at large. Although human factors work is carried out at many NASA sites, the committee limited its analysis to the two sites where SHF research is funded by OLMSA: JSC and ARC.
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From page 98... ...
TECHNICAL AND SCIENTIFIC TOPICS RELATED TO SPACE HUMAN FACTORS By definition, the participation of humans in space exploration makes safety and the ability to perform physically and psychologically for prolonged periods integral parts of all planning. Areas where human factors information and expertise are relevant include spacecraft design, life support systems, and extravehicular suits and systems.
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From page 99... ...
Work force · Psychosocial considerations for crew composition, especially for long characteristics duration missions · Group interactions and command structure Workload and task · Evaluate tasks and tools for optimal human performance characteristics · Determine and schedule appropriate fatigue countermeasures · Ensure expected crew performance is within known SHE bounds continued
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From page 100... ...
work environment Training ~ Training for effective group communications · Training for decision making · Training for infrequent tasks (such as the final Earth landing at the end of an extended mission) · Cross-training in multiple specialties Mission support · Appropriate decomposition of tasks into automated and human controlled components · "On-line" documentation of procedures · Monitoring of in-flight activity and performance Maintenance and · Training for normal and unusual events logistics training Crew performance · Designs incorporating human reliability data · Adjustments for circadian rhythm effects and sleep deficits · human physical performance data on, and models of, human strength, stamina, fatigue, and motor skills, especially in microgravity; performance monitoring techniques and countermeasures to impediments to successful task completion and to safety personal, interpersonal, and group dynamics personality measures, performance monitors, performance predictors, effects of various command structures, minimization of conflicts, team decision making and cooperation strategies, inter-cultural issues, and evaluation metrics · habitability maximize physical and psychological health of crew considering food, clothing, privacy, noise levels, hygiene, sleep, recreation, and entertainment, with sensitivity to culture, language, and gender differences .
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From page 101... ...
In general, JSC has the charter to examine SHF issues related to the Space Shuttle, the ISS, and future long-duration space flight but concentrates almost exclusively on the Space Shuttle and ISS. ARC is engaged in work on aviation human factors (especially cockpit issues)
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From page 102... ...
During calendar year 1996, NASA staff involved in the program from NASA headquarters, JSC, ARC, and KSC were drafting a requirements document for SHF based on projected human lunar and Mars long-duration space flights in the second decade of the twenty-first century. The committee observed some of these discussions and examined a preliminary draft, but the final document was not completed by the end of this study.
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From page 103... ...
Predictive models would provide engineers with an analytical tool for evaluating alternative designs in order to study and devise mechanisms to facilitate intellectual performance. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE SPACE HUMAN FACTORS PROGRAM AND THE SUCCESS OF FUTURE NASA MISSIONS Summary Finding.
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From page 104... ...
NASA should encourage a broad view and promote effective and efficient programs between disciplines within the organization, as well as formal, periodic communication with extramural organizations to seek out technologies that may be applicable to NASA space human factors programs. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES AND MILESTONES Summary Finding.
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From page 105... ...
Mission-oriented research is performed at both JSC and ARC, and there are some excellent projects at both centers. The work at JSC is primarily driven by the need to resolve issues related to operating Space Shuttle missions and for planning other near-term programs, such as the ISS.
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From page 106... ...
Although some work has been done to determine the requirements for the human exploration of space and relevant issues related to SHF, currently there is no official NASA document that establishes the priority of the key research areas. The current NASA structure is not adequately aware of current technologies that may be applicable to long-duration SHF issues.
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From page 107... ...
The unique characteristics of space flight (e.g., microgravity, EVA, life support, and isolation) dictated that NASA was solely dependent on the virtuosity of its own scientists and engineers to create its own tools.
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From page 108... ...
The space human factors program requires strong leadership and advocacy with a long-term view of the entire space human factors area. The individual in charge of this program must have sufficient budgetary and other resources to ensure that the long-term problems of operational space flight and a mission to Mars can be addressed by appropriate, forward-looking research.
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From page 109... ...
Overarching issues have not been clearly defined, and hence are rarely addressed because the program focuses on near-term "fixes." This may be an appropriate operational mode in an environment of need-to-solve, immediate problems with limited funding, but it will not suffice for addressing long-duration SHF issues. An SHF research program made up of proposals predominantly selected from NASA NRAs and SBIRs limits the range and focus of research.
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From page 110... ...
Because the ISS is the acknowledged vehicle wherein critical SHF research related to long-term missions will be conducted, it was disappointing to realize that there is no formal plan for integrating SHF research into all aspects of ISS operations. The lack of communication between the research and operational SHF communities, combined with the lack of a unified programmatic mission, goal, or priorities, creates an organization that, in large part, is pursuing projects that do not capitalize on potential intramural or external synergism.
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From page 111... ...
Space human factors researchers could participate in the development of integrated system simulations and virtual environment technologies with humans in the loop, whether for piloting, mission specialist activities, or other training and performance evaluation studies. · Better connections between the advanced displays group at JSC and the man-machine integration design and analysis (MIDAS)
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From page 112... ...
1995. Space Human Factors Program Plan.
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