Abstract
ObjectiveBy understanding the physiological demands of different types of tasks that will be performed during extravehicular activity (EVA) on Mars, human performance safety risks can be mitigated. In addition, such understanding can assist in planning EVAs with an appropriate balance of human health and safety with scientific mission return.BackgroundThis paper describes the results of a study of technical feasibility performed within a Mars human research analog, with participants conducting scientifically relevant planetary science sample analysis and return tasks in two distinct field locations.MethodsThe authors collected heart rate, respiration rate, and heart rate variability (HRV) data, using commercial off-the-shelf hardware and software from study participants as they performed field science tasks within a concept of operations for a Mars science return human expedition mission. These data were remotely monitored, shared in real time, and later analyzed to identify different responses to different tasks in order to determine if there were any predictable or consistent patterns among participants.ResultsIt was ultimately determined that, while differences exist between responses to tasks, they are highly subject to multiple sources of individual variability, dynamics of evolving field science tasks, and demands of a demanding physical environment. Further, distributional analyses of participants do not support parametric statistical analysis techniques.ConclusionThe authors conclude that the physiology of individual astronauts should be extensively studied and modeled to support individualized automated monitoring tools for each crew member that is sent to Mars. Application: Physiological monitoring for specialized populations will require significant individual-level analysis, baselining, and bootstrap statistical methods to enable appropriate human performance determinations.
Highlights
To allow for human exploration of space, it is necessary to ensure that astronaut health and safety be prioritized, and that human performance capability is optimized
A number of physiological parameters were collecting using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware and software, and reported in real-time to a simulated intravehicular habitation (IVH) crew
The tasks that astronauts will be required to perform during Martian extravehicular activities (EVAs) will be physically demanding; performance of physical tasks may be more difficult in a reduced-gravity (0.38 that of earth) environment due to more required stabilization actions, reduced traction, and heavy spacesuits that provide protection against environmental conditions and radiation (Chappell and Klaus, 2013)
Summary
To allow for human exploration of space, it is necessary to ensure that astronaut health and safety be prioritized, and that human performance capability is optimized. The tasks that astronauts will be required to perform during Martian EVA will be physically demanding; performance of physical tasks may be more difficult in a reduced-gravity (0.38 that of earth) environment due to more required stabilization actions, reduced traction, and heavy spacesuits that provide protection against environmental conditions and radiation (Chappell and Klaus, 2013). These effects due to decreased gravity are compounded with space-related physiological changes: red blood cell production decreases, muscles begin to atrophy, and bone mass begins to decrease (Gunga, 2015). Understanding the physical demands of EVA includes the ability to identify and ensure that proper amounts of consumables (with safety margins) are included to allow for the completion of the mission, but not so much that consumable margins unnecessarily limit the available space or weight on board the spacecraft that could be allocated for other resources
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