Reduced-Gravity Human Factors Research with Aircraft

1969 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 463-471 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Moran
Keyword(s):  
Human Factors ◽  
Space Flight ◽  
Gravity Data ◽  
Parabolic Flight ◽  
Gravity Level ◽  
Reduced Gravity ◽  
Low Gravity ◽  
Simulation Techniques ◽  
Space Experiments ◽  
Actual Space

Human factors in a low-gravity environment became important with the beginning of manned space flight programs. The costs and dangers associated with actual space experiments necessitated the development of reduced-gravity simulation techniques. Since parabolic flight is the only way to produce approximately the same physical conditions as orbital space flight, it is the only technique acceptable for many human factors studies. However, the shortness of periods at the desired gravity level and the high gravity levels of the pre- and post-parabola flight compromise the effectiveness of the technique. In spite of its faults, this technique has been used to produce many meaningful studies. These studies have done much to increase our limited knowledge of reduced-gravity human factors. It appears that this technique will continue to be a main source of low-gravity data, until the era of manned orbiting laboratories.

Development of an Interactive Microprocessor Based Workload Evaluation Model (SIMWAM)

1984 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 78-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Kirkpatrick ◽  
Thomas B. Malone ◽  
Phillip J. Andrews
Keyword(s):  
Human Factors ◽  
Evaluation Model ◽  
Network Simulation ◽  
Aircraft Carrier ◽  
Simulation Techniques

In an attempt to assess the extent to which human factors technology developed for air systems is applicable to ship systems problems, several task network simulation techniques were evaluated for aircraft carrier air operations. Such operations are complex and highly variable and include over 400 separate tasks performed by 18 different operators. The result of the assessment was that the available techniques were not acceptable, leading to the development of a model designated SIMWAM for simulation for workload assessment and modeling.

scholarly journals Low-velocity impacts into granular material: application to small-body landing

2021 ◽  
Vol 503 (3) ◽  
pp. 3460-3471
Author(s):  
Naomi Murdoch ◽  
Melanie Drilleau ◽  
Cecily Sunday ◽  
Florian Thuillet ◽  
Arnaud Wilhelm ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Granular Material ◽  
Small Body ◽  
Surface Interactions ◽  
Resistance Force ◽  
Hydrodynamic Drag ◽  
Reduced Gravity ◽  
Low Velocity ◽  
Low Gravity ◽  
Terrestrial Gravity ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACT With the flourishing number of small body missions that involve surface interactions, understanding the mechanics of spacecraft – surface interactions is crucial for improving our knowledge about the landing phases of space missions, for preparing spacecraft operations, and for interpreting the results of measurements made during the surface interactions. Given their regolith-covered surfaces, the process of landing on a small body can be considered as an impact at low-velocity on to a granular material in reduced-gravity. In order to study the influence of the surface material, projectile shape, and gravity on the collision dynamics, we used two experimental configurations (one for terrestrial gravity experiments and one for reduced-gravity experiments) to perform low-velocity collisions into different types of granular materials: quartz sand, and two different sizes of glass beads (1.5 and 5 mm diameter). Both a spherical and a cubic projectile (with varying impact orientation) were used. The experimental data support a drag model for the impact dynamics composed of both a hydrodynamic drag force and quasi-static resistance force. The hydrodynamic and quasi-static contributions are related to the material frictional properties, the projectile geometry, and the gravity. The transition from a quasi-static to a hydrodynamical regime is shown to occur at lower impact velocities in reduced-gravity trials than in terrestrial gravity trials, indicating that regolith has a more fluid-like behaviour in low-gravity. The reduced quasi-static regime of a granular material under low-gravity conditions leads to a reduction in the strength, resulting in a decreased resistance to penetration and larger penetration depths.

Pool Boiling of n-Pentane, CFC-113, and Water Under Reduced Gravity: Parabolic Flight Experiments With a Transparent Heater

1995 ◽  
Vol 117 (2) ◽  
pp. 408-417 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Oka ◽  
Y. Abe ◽  
Y. H. Mori ◽  
A. Nagashima
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Parabolic Flight ◽  
Pool Boiling ◽  
Glass Plate ◽  
Nucleate Boiling ◽  
Heat Fluxes ◽  
Rear Side ◽  
Heater Surface ◽  
Reduced Gravity ◽  
Liquid Behavior

A series of pool boiling experiments have been conducted under reduced gravity condition (the order of 10−2 times the terrestrial gravity) available in an aircraft taking parabolic flight. A transparent resistant heater, a transparent indium oxide film plated on a glass plate, was employed so that the vapor/liquid behavior interacting with the heater surface could be observed from the rear side of the heater simultaneously with the side view of vapor bubbles above the heater surface. The experiments were performed for three different fluids—n-pentane, CFC-113, and water—under subcooled conditions. The critical heat fluxes for both n-pentane and CFC-113 under the reduced gravity were lowered to about 40 percent of the corresponding terrestrial values. Although the heat transfer characteristics in a low heat flux nucleate boiling regime for both n-pentane and CFC-113 showed no more than a slight change with the reduction in gravity, a significant heat transfer deterioration was noted with water in the reduced gravity boiling. The observation from the rear side of the heater suggested that this particular difference in the gravity dependency of heat transfer was ascribed to a considerable difference, between the organic fluids and water, in the behavior of attachment to the heater surface of the bubbles grown up, while the behavior of attachment must depend on the surface tension of each fluid and the wettability of the heater surface with the fluid.

Human Factors Engineering Simulation Methodology

1986 ◽  
Vol 30 (13) ◽  
pp. 1306-1310 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brett A. Storey
Keyword(s):  
Human Factors ◽  
Dynamic Simulation ◽  
Human Factors Engineering ◽  
Human Engineering ◽  
Simulation Research ◽  
Test And Evaluation ◽  
Simulation Techniques ◽  
Simulation Evaluation ◽  
Evaluation Techniques ◽  
Intended Use

This report describes a methodology of simulation research which is designed to accomplish requirements of a human factors engineering simulation, plan. This approach, accompanied by detailed test plans and schedules will fulfill the data item DI-H-7052 (Human Engineering Dynamic Simulation Plan) for intended use of dynamic simulation techniques in support of human engineering analysis, design support and test and evaluation. This methodology will cover the need for dynamic simulation, evaluation techniques, procedures and guidelines, and the behavioral, subjective and physiological methods recommended for use in human engineering evaluations.

scholarly journals Parabolic flight as a spaceflight analog

2016 ◽  
Vol 120 (12) ◽  
pp. 1442-1448 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Shelhamer
Keyword(s):  
Human Factors ◽  
Short Duration ◽  
Parabolic Flight ◽  
Free Fall ◽  
Artificial Gravity ◽  
Medical Procedures ◽  
Human Spaceflight ◽  
Suborbital Flights

Ground-based analog facilities have had wide use in mimicking some of the features of spaceflight in a more-controlled and less-expensive manner. One such analog is parabolic flight, in which an aircraft flies repeated parabolic trajectories that provide short-duration periods of free fall (0 g) alternating with high- g pullout or recovery phases. Parabolic flight is unique in being able to provide true 0 g in a ground-based facility. Accordingly, it lends itself well to the investigation of specific areas of human spaceflight that can benefit from this capability, which predominantly includes neurovestibular effects, but also others such as human factors, locomotion, and medical procedures. Applications to research in artificial gravity and to effects likely to occur in upcoming commercial suborbital flights are also possible.

Development of a Human Factors Methodology for Nasa-Goddard Space Flight Center

1983 ◽  
Vol 27 (12) ◽  
pp. 980-984 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula M. Van Balen ◽  
Christine M. Mitchell
Keyword(s):  
Human Factors ◽  
Space Flight ◽  
Information Gathering ◽  
Computer Interface ◽  
Background Information ◽  
Human Computer Interface ◽  
Nasa Goddard Space ◽  
Factors Analysis ◽  
Goddard Space ◽  
Goddard Space Flight Center

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, realizing the importance of the human-computer interface, has begun the process of integrating human factors considerations into system design. A methodology was needed to direct the process of incorporating human factors recommendations into the design process and to introduce human factors principles and procedures to Goddard projects. To gather necessary background information for an effective methodology, a diary was kept, recording the process of a Goddard human factors analysis. The diary technique was effective in identifying issues and steps relevant to the methodology. This paper describes and evaluates the diary as an information-gathering tool. Finally, the methodology is summarized and its effectiveness evaluated.

scholarly journals Gait transitions in simulated reduced gravity

2011 ◽  
Vol 110 (3) ◽  
pp. 781-788 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuri P. Ivanenko ◽  
Francesca Sylos Labini ◽  
Germana Cappellini ◽  
Velio Macellari ◽  
Joseph McIntyre ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Inverted Pendulum ◽  
Abrupt Change ◽  
The Body ◽  
Reduced Gravity ◽  
Altered Gravity ◽  
Transition Speed ◽  
Simulation Techniques ◽  
Significant Prolongation ◽  
Gait Parameters ◽  
Gait Transitions

Gravity has a strong effect on gait and the speed of gait transitions. A gait has been defined as a pattern of locomotion that changes discontinuously at the transition to another gait. On Earth, during gradual speed changes, humans exhibit a sudden discontinuous switch from walking to running at a specific speed. To study the effects of altered gravity on both the stance and swing legs, we developed a novel unloading exoskeleton that allows a person to step in simulated reduced gravity by tilting the body relative to the vertical. Using different simulation techniques, we confirmed that at lower gravity levels the transition speed is slower (in accordance with the previously reported Froude number ∼0.5). Surprisingly, however, we found that at lower levels of simulated gravity the transition between walking and running was generally gradual, without any noticeable abrupt change in gait parameters. This was associated with a significant prolongation of the swing phase, whose duration became virtually equal to that of stance in the vicinity of the walk-run transition speed, and with a gradual shift from inverted-pendulum gait (walking) to bouncing gait (running).

scholarly journals Application of cryotechnology in the creation of space foods for crews working in extreme conditions

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 ◽  
pp. 193-208
Author(s):  
Peter Getsov ◽  
Tsvetan Tsvetkov ◽  
Georgi Sotirov ◽  
Iliana Nacheva ◽  
Zoya Hubenova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Research And Development ◽  
Space Flight ◽  
Food Products ◽  
Foreign Market ◽  
Nutritional Requirements ◽  
Extreme Conditions ◽  
Extreme Sports ◽  
Low Gravity ◽  
The Creation

The article presents the achievements in the field of cryobiology and is related to the work for ESA project. Space food is a variety of food products specially formulated and processed for space flight use. Food should meet specific requirements to ensure balanced nutrition for those working in extreme conditions while being easily and safely stored, prepared and consumed in low gravity environments. It is reviewed domestic and foreign market for space foods and defined requirements to astronauts; for other users: military; extreme professions; extreme sports, for hospitals and children gardens. There are summarizes the nutritional requirements for all mentioned above group users of space foods. There is shown Bulgarian experience in research and development of space foods and comparison of the Bulgarian Space Menu.

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