Abstract Future piloted space exploration missions will focus more on science than engineering, a change which will challenge existing concepts for flight crew tasking and demand that participants with contrasting skills, values, and backgrounds learn to cooperate as equals. In terrestrial space flight analogs such as Desert Research And Technology Studies, engineers, pilots, and scientists can practice working together, taking advantage of the full breadth of all team members' training to produce harmonious, effective missions that maximize the time and attention the crew can devote to science. This paper presents, in a format usable as a reference by participants in the field, a successfully tested crew interaction model for such missions. The model builds upon the basic framework of a scientific field expedition by adding proven concepts from aviation and human space flight, including expeditionary behavior and cockpit resource management, cooperative crew tasking and adaptive leadership and followership, formal techniques for radio communication, and increased attention to operational considerations. The crews of future space flight analogs can use this model to demonstrate effective techniques, learn from each other, develop positive working relationships, and make their expeditions more successful, even if they have limited time to train together beforehand. This model can also inform the preparation and execution of actual future space flights.
Highlights ► Desert Research And Technology Studies is a simulated space exploration mission. ► Desert RATS crews found effective ways for astronauts and scientists to cooperate. ► They treated the mission as a scientific field study, with concepts from aviation. ► These include cockpit resource management, radio protocol, and operational focus. ► This method may be useful in other space flight analogs and in real space missions.
Crew roles and interactions in scientific space exploration
Acta Astronautica ; 90 , 2 ; 318-331
2011-12-09
14 pages
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
AOS , Acquisition of Signal , Capcom , Spacecraft (Capsule) Communicator , CRM , Cockpit Resource Management , Desert RATS , Desert Research And Technology Studies , EVA , Extra-Vehicular Activity (spacewalking) , GMT , Greenwich Mean Time , ICAO , International Civil Aviation Organization , ISS , International Space Station , LOS , Loss of Signal , MET , Mission Elapsed Time , NASA , National Aeronautics and Space Administration , NOLS , National Outdoor Leadership School , SEV , Space Exploration Vehicle , TCAS , Traffic Collision Avoidance System , TDRS , Tracking and Data Relay Satellite , UTC , Coordinated Universal Time , Astronaut training , Cockpit resource management , Crew tasking , Group interaction , Human space flight , Space flight analog