Responsible Center: NASA JSC
Grant Monitor: Whitmire, Alexandra
Center Contact:
[email protected]
Unique ID: 16130
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Solicitation / Funding Source: Directed Research
Grant/Contract No.: Directed Research
Project Type: Ground
Flight Program:
TechPort: No |
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| Human Research Program Elements: |
(1) HFBP:Human Factors & Behavioral Performance (IRP Rev H)
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| Human Research Program Risks: |
(1) HSIA:Risk of Adverse Outcomes Due to Inadequate Human Systems Integration Architecture
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| Human Research Program Gaps: |
(1) HSIA-101:We need to identify the Human Systems Integration (HSI) – relevant crew health and performance outcomes, measures, and metrics, needed to characterize and mitigate risk, for future exploration missions.
(2) HSIA-401:We need to determine how HSI can be applied in the vehicle/habitat and computer interface Design Phase to mitigate potential decrements in operationally-relevant performance (e.g. problem-solving, execution procedures), during increasingly earth-independent, future exploration missions (including in-mission and at landing).
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| Task Description: |
Extended Reality (XR) technologies may provide significant cost savings in that they require little to no hardware, construction costs, or storage facilities. It is hypothetically feasible for XR methods to faithfully replicate NASA systems (e.g., a high-fidelity virtual reality simulation can approximate the appearance, size, and functionality of a real-world experience), and there is a body of literature supporting the use of XR methods, especially virtual reality, for design evaluations. Currently, it is unclear how suitable XR methods are for use in verification activities. The biggest concern is that verification data collected with XR technology would not be comparable to data collected in a physical mockup using traditional methods, resulting in additional risk when used for flight readiness decisions. Therefore, NASA’s current position is to allow the use of XR technologies for developmental test activities only. If providers are to employ XR technology for verification in the future, NASA needs data and theoretical knowledge to develop guidelines for how XR technology can be applied without increasing human health and performance risks. The proposed work will help NASA better understand the strengths and limitations of XR technologies, and will identify research gaps, which may help foster innovation and focus research efforts. |
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| Rationale for HRP Directed Research: |
This proposal qualifies for directed study due to the constrained nature of the work. To understand this issue, investigators will need to be able to directly communicate with NASA subject matter experts (SMEs) who work with spaceflight programs using XR for some activities that could be proprietary. External researchers would not be able to easily access this information and thus directed research would be more cost effective. Another factor is that commercial providers are currently pushing to employ XR technologies for verification activities, leaving insufficient time for solicitation. |
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| Research Impact/Earth Benefits: |
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