# Presentation: 665449

## Human Systems Engineering

**Human Systems Engineering**

- Dane Russo, Ph.D.
- Space Life Sciences Directorate

**Notes:**
Good morning,
My name is Dane Russo. I am the Principal Coordinating Scientist for the Habitability and Environmental Factors Division in the Space Life Sciences Directorate here at the Johnson Space Center.
The subject is Human Systems Engineering. 
The message is that: 
	1) HSE is of critical importance to the next steps of human exploration and
	 2) NASA collaborations with universities such as yours are essential for the effective development of the HSE tools needed to make the VSE a reality.

In conveying that message, we will place HSE in the NASA context, look at some of the HSE challenges of space exploration, and identify types of collaborations that we may choose to pursue.

## Human Systems Engineering (HSE) 

**   ****HSE is the use of engineering knowledge and tools to integrate humans and systems for safe, effective, and efficient design and operations.**
***Designing spaceflight systems (hardware, software, procedures and operations) to be ***_***compatible***_*** with crew capabilities throughout the mission***

**Notes:**
For today’s discussion, I have defined HSE as ...  We might argue with a word or two, but the idea is basically sound:  We are using engineering knowledge and tools to integrate to do something expressed is that HSE is the use of engineering tools to fuse together humans and the components of whatever system  they are a part of with a purpose of effecting ....

At NASA, this usually means .....
Compatible – need a better word, something like enhance
Capabilities – physical and cognitive
Throughout – importance to recognize that crew capabilities may significantly change during a long duration mission or during specific aspects of a mission.

## Importance of HSE for Space Exploration

-  *Human Support issues hold the key to mankind’s future in space.*  Human Support Issues and Systems for the Space Exploration Initiative: Results from Project Outreach, 1991
-  *The human system cannot be reengineered.  Human risks drive the development of all other systems, often with little room for adjustment.*  Human Exploration of Space, A Review of NASA’s Bioastronautics Roadmap, IOM, NRC 2006
*	*

**Notes:**
A number of highly credible committees, after having reviewed NASA and the challenges of space exploration have concluded that the human element of the system is of paramount importance.

In 1991, support for the human component was called the key to our future in space by a Space Exploration Initiative panel.  The panel emphasized that “fundamental questions about crew adaptability, tolerance, and performance must be confronted squarely and systematically to assure success.”

Some 15 years later the NRC IOM, in evaluating the critical issues in human space exploration, identified the human system as the major risk driving all other systems.

So please let these words be heard and heeded by our program managers as we embark upon making the Vision for Space Exploration a reality. 

## 
Hypogravity
Can affect human physiology and performance
Isolation/confinement
Can affect behavior, performance, immunology, and levels of environmental contamination
Altered light-dark cycles
Disruption of circadian rhythms can cause loss of sleep, increased fatigue, and decrements in performance
Increased radiation
Can result in decrements in immune function and result in CNS effects and carcinogenesis

- Hypogravity
- Can affect human physiology and performance
- Isolation/confinement
- Can affect behavior, performance, immunology, and levels of environmental contamination
- Altered light-dark cycles
- Disruption of circadian rhythms can cause loss of sleep, increased fatigue, and decrements in performance
- Increased radiation
- Can result in decrements in immune function and result in CNS effects and carcinogenesis

**Spaceflight Factors ****that HSE Must Address**

**Notes:**
The 

## White, Scientific American 1998

**White, *****Scientific American***** 1998**

## Specific HSE Challenges

-  Crew workload
-  Illness or injury during the mission
-  Protection from the environment
-  Compatibility of system design and operations with crew capabilities

## Meeting the Challenges

- The Human Research Program (HRP) has been initiated to help develop the knowledge, tools, and technologies needed to carry out the Vision for Space Exploration  **http://hrp.jsc.nasa.gov**
- The HRP
- Is an applied research and technology development (R&T) program
- Includes partnership with the National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI) http://www.nsbri.org
- Is the R&T component of our approach to managing _operational_ risks to crew health and performance
- These risks (including HSE risks) are identified in the Bioastronautics Roadmap http://bioastroroadmap.nasa.gov/index.jsp

**Notes:**
Established in 1997 through a NASA competition, the National Space Biomedical Research Institute is working on countermeasures to the health-related problems and physical and psychological challenges men and women will face on long-duration missions. The research consortium's primary objective is to ensure safe and productive human space flight. 

NSBRI-RFP-06-01: Soliciting Postdoctoral Fellowship Applications. This Request for Proposals solicits applications for the NSBRI Postdoctoral Fellowship Program. 

Research Opportunities Soliciting Ground-Based Studies for Human Health in Space. This NASA Research Announcement solicits ground-based research for the Biomedical Research and Countermeasures Program, a component of the Bioastronautics Research Division, including the National Space Biomedical Research Institute, and for the Biomedical Model Systems Program, a component of the Fundamental Space Biology Division. 

The consortium members are: 
Baylor College of Medicine (lead institute) 
Brookhaven National Laboratory 
Harvard Medical School 
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Applied Physics Laboratory 
Massachusetts Institute of Technology 
Morehouse School of Medicine 
Mount Sinai School of Medicine 
Rice University 
Texas A&M University 
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences 
University of Pennsylvania Health System 
University of Washington. 

## Slide 8

## An Example HRP Project: Exercise Countermeasures Project

## Research Meets Operations: The 10 K Walk-Back Test

## An Example HRP Product

- Demonstrate use of computerized 3-D body scans technology to aid in the design of better EVA suits.
* *
- If successful, this tool will help
- suited crewmembers exert a fuller range of motion while avoiding physical injuries due to constraining suits
- With the design of optimal interfaces between EVA suits and the spacecraft/habitat
- Realization of the full benefit of a human presence in space

**An Example HRP Product**

**Unpressurized and pressurized  concept suits **

**Notes:**
Both in-space and surface EVA suits must allow crew members the fullest mobility possible. Three-dimensional computerized volumetric scan capabilities will enable the most accurate fit to the astronaut physical characteristics and will allow unhindered motion to carry out the required tasks.
and to truly simulate actually moving models in operational scenarios using candidate spacecraft and habitat designs.

## Importance of Analog Environments for R&TD

## Research and Technology Needs

- Miniature, low-power biomedical and environmental monitors
- Medical  – Kathy Johnson-Troop (281) 483-0387
- Environmental – Paul Mudgett (281) 483-8766
- Radiation – Mark Weyland (281) 483-6196
- Simple microgravity simulators
- Human Countermeasures - Bill Paloski (281) 244-5315
- Unobtrusive monitors or measures of human performance
- Behavior and Performance – Lauren Leveton (281) 483-7267
- Space Human Factors – Barbara Woolford (281) 483-3701

## Models of behavior and performance
Behavior and Performance – Lauren Leveton (281) 483-7267
Space Human Factors – Barbara Woolford (281) 483-3701
Anthropometric models of EVA-suited crewmembers 
Anthropometry and Biomechanics Lab – Sudhakar Rajulu (281) 483-3725
Information management, displays, and controls
Space Human Factors – Barbara Woolford (281) 483-3701

- Behavior and Performance – Lauren Leveton (281) 483-7267
- Space Human Factors – Barbara Woolford (281) 483-3701
- Anthropometric models of EVA-suited crewmembers
- Anthropometry and Biomechanics Lab – Sudhakar Rajulu (281) 483-3725
- Information management, displays, and controls
- Space Human Factors – Barbara Woolford (281) 483-3701

**Research and Technology Needs**

## Partnering with Universities and Students

- NASA Research Announcements
- Directed Research Projects
- Student Programs
- Independent Research

- _[http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forresearchers/](http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forresearchers/)__researchbizops/index.html_

**Notes:**
Graduate Student Researchers ProgramSince 1980, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has sponsored the NASA Graduate Student Researchers Program (GSRP) to help meet the continuing needs of the nation's aeronautics and space effort by increasing the number of highly trained scientists and engineers in aerospace; space; Earth; physical and biological sciences; space applications; and space technology.The NASA Graduate Student Researchers Program (GSRP) awards fellowships for graduate study leading to research-based masters or doctoral degrees in the fields of science, mathematics, and engineering.
The NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) offers unique research opportunities to highly talented national and international individuals to engage in ongoing NASA research programs at a NASA Center, NASA Headquarters, or at a NASA-affiliated research institute. These one- to three-year Fellowship appointments are competitive and are designed to advance NASA's missions in space science, earth science, aeronautics, space operations, exploration systems, and astrobiology. 

## Conclusions

- HSE uses engineering and scientific knowledge and tools to integrate humans and systems for safe, effective, and efficient design and operations**.**
- HSE is essential to the successful exploration of space
***Ensure that spaceflight systems and operations are compatible with crew capabilities***
- The Human Research Program (HRP) will help develop HSE knowledge and tools to meet NASA HSE challenges.
- Collaborations between NASA and academic institutions are essential if we are to make the Vision for Space Exploration a reality.

## Questions ?

- Dane Russo
- Habitability and Environmental Factors Division
- dane.m.russo@nasa.gov
- (281) 483-3705