Applying Programmable Display Pushbuttons to Manned Space Operations

Abstract

American manned spacecraft have used a large number of discrete dedicated switches and buttons to allow astronauts to monitor and control system functions. In the decade or so since the Space Shuttle was designed, there have been many improvements in the area of control multifunctionality. One of these advances is the development of programmable display pushbuttons (PDPs), which are illuminated pushbuttons with displays consisting of a matrix of LEDs that can show preprogrammed information in the form of alphanumerics or symbols. Our work is designed to study the parameters affecting the usefulness of PDPs in manned space operations. We are simulating the performance of complex Space Shuttle tasks by comparing current procedures and procedures involving the use of PDPs. This paper discusses issues that arose in the course of designing the user-PDP interface for one typical Space Shuttle task.