9/30/2008
Learning Objectives
Human Factors
Overlaps with physiology and psychology
Healthy and Happy (in addition to basic ECLSS, Alive)
Integrates the crew with their environment and equipment
Habitat design
Optimizing the interfaces between the Human, Machine and the Environment
Habitability
Life Support, Health Maintenance and Human Factors
Staying alive, healthy and comfortable
Ergonomics
applied science of equipment design intended to maximize productivity by reducing operator fatigue and discomfort
Ergonomics or Human Factors
Work physiology addresses the energy requirements of the body and sets standards for acceptable physical work rate and workload, and for nutrition requirements.
Environmental physiology analyses the impact of physical working conditions thermal, noise and vibration, and lighting and sets the optimum requirements for these.
Psychology is concerned with human information processing and decision-making capabilities - the cognitive fit between people and the things they use.
Human Factors in Design
Defines limits for crew physical activities
Altered after long term microgravity exposure
Defines more subtle requirements for ECLSS
Light levels, noise, air flow
Helps establish appropriate habitat volume
Associates crew time demands with design decision trade studies (e.g., ESM)
Assists automation vs. manual task decisions
General Principles of Human-Equipment Interfaces
Learnable, intuitive
Aircraft landing gear switch
Efficient organization, co-locate by function
Memorable training issues
Fool proof, disable commands, cancel option, minimize critical path errors
Are you sure? prompt
Satisfying, or at least not disliked
Analyzing tasks
What needs to be done to meet mission objectives
Constraints (com lag, decision making)
Allocating functions
Crew, automation, robotics, tele-commanded, ground control team, combinations vs. time, risk, HW cost, etc.
Cost for crew time ($150k/hr on shuttle)
Hubble repair mission options
Assigning workloads
Mental and physical demands
Perceptual and cognitive needs
Timeline development
Other Human Factor Concerns
Sensation and Perception
Altered
Processing information
SMS, difficulty with short term memory
Cockpit Resource Management
On-board command and control
Ground based support
Anthropometrics and Biomechanics
NASA Stnd 3000 (http://msis.jsc.nasa.gov/)
Habitat Volume
Crew Size and Mission Duration dependent?
Learning Objectives
Psychological Concerns
Mental well being of the crew is critical to mission success
Psychological Design Drivers
Linkage to mission goals
Prevention and optimization
Integrated systems approach
Knowledge
Pre-flight Tools
Policy consultation
Organizational
Operational
Habitability Consultation
Merging engineering with Human Factors
Volumetric layout / architectural considerations
Screening and selection
Screen in vs. screen out
Training and preparation
Basic to mission unique
Individual and team aspects
Short vs. long duration flights
Crew makeup
Deployment support
We vs. them issues
Communication and rotation
In-flight Tools
Training and strategies
Refresh training capabilities
Continuing education
Traditional support
Communication with friends and family
Leisure time activities
News and information
Tracking trends
Voice stress analysis, video analysis, error tracking
Intervention
Consultation
Post-flight pressures
Influence on Design
Establish mission requirements
Can drive technology needs
Dictate crew selection, mission planning, training, operations, etc.
Address multinational concerns
Inch vs. cm
Establish working relationships within the organization
Mars missions especially affected