McCann, R. S., McCandless, J., & Hilty, B. (2005). Automating Onboard Operations in Next-Generation Spacecraft: Human Factors Issues. In the Online Proceedings of the AIAA Space 2005 Meeting, Aug. 30-Sep. 2, Long Beach, CA.

Abstract

NASA is designing a new space transportation system to replace the aging shuttles, return humans to the moon, and enable human exploration of more remote destinations. One of the fundamental requirements driving the design of this new system is that, due to speed-of-light limitations, many time-critical mission operations will have to be performed onboard the vehicle without real-time assistance from the ground. To meet this requirement, many mission management activities will involve real-time collaborations between crewmembers and onboard automation. We describe several human factors challenges that must be overcome to enable effective onboard human-machine teaming, including deciding on an appropriate functional allocation between human and machine, and developing and validating user interfaces to coordinate human and machine activities. We illustrate these principles with a concept for mixed initiative fault management on a next generation spacecraft.