Human Research Program - Space Human Factors & Habitability Element
The Space Human Factors
and Habitability (SHFH) Element of the Human Research
Program develops a variety of human factors and habitability
products that will help keep crewmembers healthy,
productive and comfortable during exploration missions.
SHFH human factors experts
are developing tools to help assure that the designs
of spacecraft and habitat are compatible with the
physical and cognitive capabilities of crewmembers
during space exploration missions. For example, SHFH
researchers are determining the reach distances of
crewmembers of different size and how these distances
change when the crewmembers are wearing a pressurized
spacesuit. Determining the reach and strength of
crewmembers in pressurized spacesuits will help engineers
design future spacecraft and habitats in which crewmembers
can live and work safely and effectively. SHFH researchers
also help design spaceflight sleep quarters that
provide isolation from others, from the noise of
the spacecraft as well as personal space for writing
emails home or relaxing with a movie or book.
The SHFH Element sponsors
environmental health studies to monitor the spacecraft
physical environment in which crewmembers live and
work. SHFH scientists develop limits for the amount
of exposure that astronauts should have to such things
as chemicals, bacteria, fungus, and dust. A crucial
aspect of SHFH research involves new studies of the
unique physical characteristics of lunar dust that
may affect the health and productivity of crewmembers
during a long lunar outpost mission.
SHFH food scientists help
assure that exploration crews will have nutritious
and palatable foods by designing future food systems
that safely and efficiently store and preserve space
foods, SHFH researchers are evaluating new food packaging
materials that are lightweight and can be easily
and efficiently disposed of thereby minimizing use
of precious spacecraft resources such as volume and
power. More information about the Human Research Project can be found at: http://humanresearch.jsc.nasa.gov.
