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EXPERIMENT INFORMATION

Assessment of Human Factors: Effects of Vibration on Visual Performance During Launch (SDBI_1904)
Principal Investigator
+ Holden, Tina
Bioastronautics Roadmap
+ Sensory-Motor Adaptation
Species Studied
Homo sapiens (Human)
Experiment Description
OBJECTIVES:
Short Duration Bioastronautics Investigation (SDBI) 1904 is an operational assessment of visual performance during the concomitant vibration and g-loading that is experienced during space craft launch. The goal of the visual performance SDBI is to provide supplementary data that is collected by the seat vibration Detailed Technical Objective 695 (DTO 695). While the DTO 695 data alone are important in terms of providing a measure of vibration and g-loading, human performance data are required to fully interpret the impact of the vibration values collected as part of the DTO 695.

The primary objective of human factors SDBI 1904 is to determine visual performance limits during operational vibration and g-loads, specifically through the determination of minimal useable font size using planned Orion display formats. Data will be collected during the ascent phase of three shuttle missions.

The Constellation Program (CxP) Thrust Oscillation Focus Team (TOFT) has requested assistance in development of CxP unimpeded crew performance specifications. Testing was done during the Gemini program to determine vibration amplitude and frequency acceptability for crew performance under increased g-loads. These studies were never systematically validated with flight data, and were performed using Gemini era displays and controls, as opposed to the glass cockpit concepts currently planned for future exploration vehicles. This SDBI will qualitatively measure middeck crew visual performance, and will be conducted in conjunction with DTO 695 that will gather vibration and linear acceleration data on crewmember seats during launch. The results of the DTO and SDBI will give the CxP TOFT and the Human Systems Integration Group (HSIG) flight data on which requirements will be based, and can be further validated during ground testing. Both SDBI 1904 and DTO 695 are low impact with respect to flight resources, and combined they represent an efficient and focused problem solving approach.

++ -- Description Continues

APPROACH:
The collection of human visual performance limits and Orbiter seat vibration data will allow the CxP to develop unimpeded crew performance specifications. These data are requested to be collected on three flights, with three middeck crewmembers per flight (targeting crewmembers in seats 5, 6, and 7). Operationally relevant data is required to mitigate thrust oscillation problems with Ares 1/Orion, including appropriate display and control design.

Prior to flight, Astronaut Support Personnel (ASP) will mount the three placards (approximately 22” X 28”) on the desired middeck locker locations. During ascent, data will be recorded via a video camera mounted on the middeck with a view of the crew’s hand signals that will indicate the number of the readable quadrant. The crew will be trained to scan the quadrants at short time intervals such that the minimal readable display format is continuously located throughout the solid rocket booster (SRB) burn. Zero through four fingers will be held up to indicate format readability. This video information will then be correlated with the accelerometer data taken as part of DTO 695 in order to assess crew vibration response during the ascent phase of flight.

Prior to main engine cutoff (MECO), a short questionnaire attached to the crewmember’s kneeboard will be used to collect supplemental, subjective data. This survey will be stored in the Return-to-Houston bag for later return to Earth. A detailed debrief will occur once participating crewmember return to the Johnson Space Center (JSC).

RESULTS:
The visual performance data collected by this SDBI (i.e., font size for proposed Orion display formats), coupled with subjective comments, will lead to a better understanding of visual performance under the varied vibration and g-loads in an operational setting. These results will be directly applied to future Constellation display format designs in order to mitigate the risks associated with thrust oscillation and human performance.

Keywords :
• Communication
• Questionnaires
• Vibration
• Visual perception
Data Information
Data Preservation Status
Preservation in progress
Data Availability
Experiment is described. Some data may be on the Web site, and additional data may be available at a later date.
Measurements
• Amplitude and direction
• g-load
• Human factors
• Illumination
• Reaction time

++ -- Measurements Continue
• Vibration frequency
• Vibration magnitude
• Viewing distance
• Visual fatigue
• Visual performance
Space Flight Missions
Mission
Launch/Start Date Landing/End Date Duration

+ International Space Station (ISS) Logistics Flight 15A
02/22/2009 03/07/2009 14 days
+ International Space Station (ISS) Assembly Flight 17A
08/28/2009 09/11/2009 14 days
Other Information About This Experiment
Co-Investigators
+ Adelstein, Bernard
+ Ebert, Douglas
+ Jones, Jeffrey A.
+ Root, Philip J.
+ Thompson, Shelby G
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Managing NASA Center
Johnson Space Center (JSC)
Responsible NASA Representative
Johnson Space Center LSDA Office
Project Manager: Mary A. Fitts
Institutional Support
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Experiment Types
+ Shuttle Ongoing Research
+ Short Duration Bioastronautics Investigation (SDBI)
Research Areas
Behavior and performance
Human factors
Life Sciences Data Archive-feedback2
? NASA
Last Updated: 11/06/2009 - v8.d
Webmaster:  Abul A. Chowdhury
Curators:  Afzal Ahmed , Jacque Havelka
NASA Official:  Mary A. Fitts
Baselined: 7/15/2004
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