1,720,974 research outputs found
New Methodology for Analogue Study: Debriefing and Observation for Habitability and Quality of Life
No full textThe International Lunar Exploration Working Group (ILEWG) EuroMoonMars campaign from 2010 to 2013, carried out at the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) in Utah to test exploration procedures in Analogue Moon/Mars Base Infrastructure, featured a Habitability Project. Inside the station, the feasibility and limitations of human and robotic planetary exploration were investigated by two crews of seven and six members, respectively, for a period of two weeks each. This paper presents the development of the analysis performed by the crews on safety, performance, and comfort during living and working activities. During each mission the living conditions were investigated with the “Habitability Debriefing” developed as new methodology by Dr. Schlacht. The debriefing was performed by the crew members together at the end of each mission. The methodological aim was to identify each possible problem and problem solution covering all the human factor aspects related to human space missions
LESSON LEARNED FROM SPACE HAB FOR DISASTER MANAGEMENT LAB: SPIN-IN/OUT OF TECHNOLOGY AND KNOWLEDGE FOR DISASTER MANAGEMENT FACILITY
Get PDFThe purpose of this paper is to discuss the development and evaluation of a new disaster management facility concept from Space to Earth. Habitats would be designed to be easy to develop, maintain, and reconfigure, while taking a holistic approach to hazard protection and psychological health as well as applying innovative technology from smart textile material to the communication. This paper focuses particularly on building habitats that are affordable, maintainable, expandable, mobile, and self-sustaining. Concepts that are issues both for Space (spin-in knowledge from Earth to Space) and Earth (spin-off knowledge from Space to Earth) are included in this study. In particular this paper takes a systematic approach to minimising both external hazards of extreme environments and internal vulnerabilities with a multidisciplinary methodology. It considers the transfer of knowledge from a specific set of habitat designs for early Deep Space missions, and the application of those lessons to small habitats on Earth used in the context of extreme environments, such as in a disaster facility
Sustainable Quality: From Space Stations To Everyday Contexts On Earth
No full textSpace stations are working places operating in extreme and isolated environments. In
isolation, having no access to resources, these places need to be self-sufficient and sustainable
and be able to reuse their resources. The transfer from extreme to domestic environments of the
sustainable logic and technologies applied in these contexts has enormous potential for the
quality of our everyday lives. This “sustainable quality” can be applied, for example, to address
overpopulation and the increasing need for resources and can also be used for applications in
megacities (Schlacht et al., 2015, 2014). In order to achieve “sustainability quality”, two main
elements will be explained in this paper: a holistic methodology and a slow approach.
To transfer the system logic from Space to Earth, we need to apply a holistic
methodology. This can help us to understand each element of the system and their interrelations
in the present as well as in the future considering the entire life-cycle. However, to implement
quality of life, we also need to apply a slow approach. This slow approach outlines a new
production and consumption model that is at the same time both subversive and feasible and
focuses on the quality of the experience
Space vs. Chemical Domains: Virtual and Real Simulation to Increase Safety in Extreme Contexts
Get PDFAbstractEach year, millions of people are injured in the work place. Preventing injuries and thus protecting the health of people working in extremely dangerous contexts is of paramount importance. Outer Space is the environment that presents the most life-threatening challenges for human life: Radiation, absence of pressure and oxygen, difference of gravity, confinement are some of the conditions that strongly affect safety. Knowing how these elements affect humans and how to deal with them is very important for the success of Space missions as well as for facing other extreme challenges on Earth. For these reasons, the simulation of Space missions can be used to learn how to increase safety and improve user-system interaction in other extreme contexts such as chemical industry on Earth. Applying a cross-comparison between human factors and safety procedures in those contexts, this paper aims to realize possible safety procedures implementations in all life-threatening and extreme contexts such as disasters. The case studies presented are: real simulation of a Space mission, a virtual simulation of a Mars mission, simulation of an accident scenario in a chemical plant. With these case studies we aim to improve safety in the relevant domains by analyzing the results and implementing mutually the findings. A new methodology of knowledge transfer among different cases of extreme and life-threatening environments aimed at obtaining an innovative solution is likely to emerge from this paper
ARCHITECTURAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS IN OPTIMIZED RADIATION SHIELDING DESIGN FOR SPACE APPLICATIONS
Get PDFNewSpace bears all the hallmarks of past revolutions in technology. Since we have other examples of exponential growth of specific technologies, we should maximize the economic and engineering potential of this movement by expanding the envelopes for long term crewed habitats in deep space. We should also take an approach that minimizes waste in both design and fabrication as these bases expand. This paper provides a systematic approach to habitats optimized for volume, radiation protection, crew psychology, reusability, affordability, crowd-sourced subsystem design, and expansion. These habitats and systems are designed to be as “future proof” as possible to allow rapid and safe technological advancement within the structures. One of major “showstoppers” of human space exploration is cosmic and solar events radiation. It is a serious problem that may cause cancer and other types of tissue damage and equipment malfunction. It has to be addressed in space vehicles design especially for long-term space exploration missions and future Moon or Mars surface settlements. This paper discusses a unique layered system incorporated into a habitat structure, which may help to reduce the radiation hazard to the crew and interior equipment and systems. The paper also argues that a successful mitigation of radiation impact on human health should be based on a multidisciplinary methodology that also includes psychophysiological approach to the problem. Multiple techniques and practices to minimize psychological stress that may suppress immune system and reduce resistance to cancer, are presented and compared. Conclusions are drawn upon results of those comparisons and a multidisciplinary design concept is proposed to be applied both in long-duration human space exploration missions and in radioactive environment on Earth
EXOHAB1 DEVELOPMENT: SPIN-IN/OUT FROM SPACE HABITAT TO DISASTER MANAGEMENT FACILITY
Get PDFThe ExoHab1 project aims at providing a bench technology for testing the technology/knowledge spin-in and
spin-out for a laboratory/habitat module in extreme environment from entities that work for space and other extreme
environments outside the space sector, such as disaster management. The laboratory/habitat should be set up quickly
immediately after a disaster as a safe location from where to operate in autonomy from, for example, contaminated
area. The technologies applied in ExoHab1 aim to increase laboratory/habitat autonomy in terms of resources,
communication, and safety. Water, energy, and communications are the main areas of focus from the technological
side, while research on human factors design is also applied for the safety performance and comfort of the user. The
habitat system is supposed to be as regenerative as possible to achieve maximum autonomy and also support the best
interaction with the user. This technology will refer to the improvement of the ISS's space habitat system. Not only
the technology will be tested and transferred from and to space, but also the knowledge and the research done in the
areas of human factors, ergonomics, design, psychology, architecture testing, as well as cultural application.
In particular, the first step of the Exohab1 project is presented here, achieved with the testing of a mission simulation
performed with the ExoLab module - appositely developed as a first functional mock-up - and the ExoHab habitat
module, which has already been operational since 2009 at ESA ESTEC (European Space Research and Technology
Centre in the Netherlands). This paper also presents the first results of the possibility for design development
developed at Politecnico di Milano. The goal of this phase is to get multidisciplinary experts from the engineering,
scientific and artistic fields involved in the development, testing, finalization, and optimization of the habitat
(minimum space, time, and costs).
In the next step, the operational habitat will be used to test procedures and technologies for living and working in
extreme environments. The Exohab1 project targets the capability to address large organizations, such as aid
agencies that need to work in disaster environments, and is intended to be applied for testing technology spin-in and
new know-how in the space sector
Toni. Interazione tra colori e suoni
Get PDFLAUREA MAGISTRALEinterazione tra colori e suoni, dispositivo esperienziale che permette di convertire le informazioni visive in informazioni uditive, attraverso la trasformazione dei colori in pattern sonori.interaction between colours and sounds, an object that converts visual informations in auditory informations, mutating colours of surfaces in sound patterns
MOON HABITAT MODULE: NEW WAYS OF LIVING IN EXTREME SPACES
Get PDFWill humans be able to keep their habits even in extreme conditions such as on the Moon? Or will their habits
change to adjust to new spaces?
In order to answer these questions, we decided to analyze the primary needs of humans to design to new living
spaces. In extreme contexts or confined spaces, it is very hard to preserve one’s emotional and psychological
balance. Therefore, man becomes an actor within the space, adjusting to make it his own and changing his habits.
This is why we chose to use the philosophy of User Centered Design for our design: humans are the source of our
inspiration. We aim to design a living space employing a standard container that can be used as a research station for
working and living on both the Moon and Mars, or in emergency contexts on Earth. This project is divided into three
equally important parts: analysis, meta-design, and technical design. We started by researching confined spaces
under extreme conditions, such as military shelters, submarines, emergency housing after natural or chemical
disasters, etc. Moreover, we studied space perception, proxemics, and human needs. Second, we analyzed the given
space we have to design and the people who will be living there, including their work activities and hobbies. The
third phase consisted of the actual designing of the space.
Our goal is to create a familiar but innovative, functional, and emotional environment to guarantee effective
standards both for living and working. The design took into account every relevant piece of information found in our
research. The space is multifunctional and convertible; the different areas (working station, kitchen, and lounge area)
are mostly open and common, but guarantee privacy when convenient. Shapes, colors, materials, scents, and sounds
are an essential part of the project. In summary, this paper focuses on the design of a minimum habitat on the Moon characterized by: applicability of the design to extreme contexts on Earth (e.g., disasters); study of existing habits and human interaction in extreme
contexts; proposal of a new way of living; User Centered Design; familiar spaces; sensorial interaction through
materials, shapes and colors, flexible and organized spaces; and zoning
SPACE HABITABILITY. Integration von Human Factors in den Entwicklungsprozess zur Verbesserung der Bewohnbarkeit für langandauernde Weltraummissionen
Get PDFAstronauten arbeiten in den extremsten Umgebungen und unter lebensgefährlichen Bedingungen, um das Wissen der Menschheit über den Weltraum zu erweitern. Radioaktive Strahlung, Anpassung an die Schwerelosigkeit, Isolation und Mensch-Technik-Interaktion sind nur einige der vielen Herausforderungen, welche sich gravierend auf die Bewohnbarkeit des Weltalls auswirken und damit auch auf die Leistungsfähigkeit, die Sicherheit und das Wohlbefinden eines Menschen. Kenntnisse über den Einfluss dieser Faktoren auf den Menschen sind von größter Bedeutung wenn es darum geht, Leistungsfähigkeit, Sicherheit und den Erfolg der Mission zu gewährleisten. Human Factors, eine Fachrichtung welche die Interaktion zwischen Menschen und anderen Elementen des Systems behandelt, wurde bis heute nicht angemessen berücksichtigt, welches Berichten zufolge die Ursache für das geringe Niveau der Bewohnbarkeit von Raumstationen, von der Mir bis hin zur derzeitigen Internationalen Raumstation, ist. Wie die European Cooperation for Space Standardization betonte ist die Integration von fundiertem Human Factors-Wissen in allen Projektphasen von Anfang an eine primäre Notwendigkeit, insbesondere in Anbetracht des immer warscheinlicher werdenden Szenarios einer Langzeitmission. In dieser Arbeit wird ein neues konzeptionelles Modell als Lösungsweg für den Umgang mit diesen Bedürfnissen vorgeschlagen, welches den Schwerpunkt auf die Einbeziehung von Human-Factors-Prinzipien in alle Aspekte einer bemannten Langzeitmission setzt, um die Bewohnbarkeit im All zu verbessern. Das neue konzeptionelle Modell, nachstehend als "Integrated Design Process (IDP)" bezeichnet, umfasst drei wichtige Designprinzipien: Faktoren der Bewohnbarkeit, einen benutzerzentrierten Ansatz und eine ganzheitliche Methodik. Das konzeptionelle Modell wurde in vier Studien im Vergleich zu existierenden Modellen untersucht. An der ersten Studie waren Studenten aus verschiedenen Fachrichtungen beteiligt, welche das Modell einsetzten, um die Gestaltung einer Mondbasis zu unterstützen. An der zweiten Studie war der Arbeitskreis Extreme-Design beteiligt, welcher das Modell einsetzte, um Verfahren zum Bewohnbarkeits-Debriefing sowie Sensorenreize während einer simulierten Mission auf der Mars Desert Research Station zu untersuchen. An der dritten Studie waren Studenten des Lehrstuhls Mensch-Maschine-Systeme der TU Berlin beteiligt, welche Raumausrüstung für Systemabläufe in einer Mensch-Maschine-Umgebung entwarfen. An der vierten Studie war ein interdisziplinäres Team im Deutschen Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR) beteiligt, welches das Modell beim Entwurf eines closed-loop Habitat-Systems für Langstreckenmissionen anwendete. Die Ergebnisse dieser Studien zeigten, dass im Vergleich zu den aktuellen Methoden die Verwendung des IDP-Modells während der Entwurfsphase die Bewohnbarkeit verbessert. Die Vermutung liegt daher nahe, dass die Verwendung eines solchen Modells in der Planungsphase einer Weltraummission die Bewohnbarkeit und als Folge die Leistungsfähigkeit des Menschen und dessen Sicherheit verbessern und letztendlich zum Erfolg der Mission beitragen kann. Die Auswirkungen eines solchen Modells gehen über die Anwendung im Weltraum hinaus und schließen auch andere Umgebungen mit ein, in welchen Menschen in geschlossenen Räumen für längere Zeit leben und arbeiten müssen, wie beispielsweise in Forschungslaboren in der Antarktis, aber auch in Megastädten und Altenheimen.Astronauts work in the most extreme environments and under life-threatening conditions in order to expand human knowledge in outer space. Radiation, adaptation to microgravity, isolation, and user-system interaction are some of the many challenges that strongly affect the level of habitability in space and, as a consequence, human performance, safety, and well-being. Knowing how these elements impact on humans is of paramount importance when it comes to ensuring user performance, safety, and mission success. Until now, human factors – the discipline that is concerned with the interactions between humans and other elements of a system – have not been taken into account appropriately, which is why the level of habitability on space stations, from the Mir to the current International Space Station, is reportedly low. As underlined by the European Cooperation for Space Standardization, the integration of sound human factors into all project phases, starting from the very beginning, has become a primary necessity, in particular considering the approaching scenario of long duration/range missions. As a means for dealing with this need, this thesis proposes a new conceptual model, which focuses on incorporating human factors principles right from the preliminary design phase into all aspects of long-duration/range human mission projects in order to improve habitability. The new conceptual model, referred to herein as the ‘Integrated Design Process (IDP)’, incorporates three key design principles: habitability factors, a user-centered approach, and a holistic methodology. The conceptual model was tested against existing models in four separate studies. Specifically, study one involved students from various disciplines employing the model to assist in the design of a Moon Base. Study two involved the Extreme-Design research group employing the model to investigate habitability debriefing procedures and sensor stimuli during a simulation mission at the Mars Desert Research Station. Study three involved students from the Human-Machine System Chair at TU-Berlin designing space equipment for human-machine-environment system operations. The fourth study involved a multidisciplinary team at the German Space Agency (DLR) employing the model to design a closed-loop habitat facility for long duration space missions. The results of these studies revealed that employing the IDP model during the design phase improved self-rated habitability when compared to the current methods. These results suggest that employing such a model during the design phase of a space mis-sion will improve habitability of the item under development, thus improving user performance, safety, and ultimately mission success. The implications of such a model extend beyond application in space and include other environments where individuals are expected to live and work in confined areas for extended periods of time, such as in research laboratories in Antartica. It can also be applied in megacities as well as in retirement homes
Human Factors and Habitability Impact of Plants on Isolation
Get PDFThe EDEN ISS project is the first European bio-regenerative system tested in Antarctica. The habitability impact on
the crew emerged in term of both psychological and nutritional benefit, making an important contribution to the
advancement of international research on bio-regenerative systems both for the exploration of the Universe and for
Earth applications. Particularly, during the Crew 2018 and 2019 mission, the psychological and physiological impact
of the plants on their well-being was assessed as positive by all crew members as also foreseen by the biophilia
concept and presented in this paper. The investigation will be also be proposed at stations like Concordia in order to
have a comparison crew without a greenhouse
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