Braiding – A novel approach to supporting space/ground communication under signal latency

Abstract

Braiding is a novel, text-based software designed to facilitate communication between crewmembers in space and mission support on Earth under signal latency. Its feasibility and benefits for text-based time-delayed communication were assessed in a Human-in-the loop (HITL) study involving flight surgeons FS/Mission Support personnel and former participants in space exploration analog simulations (Crew). The HITL evaluation was conducted online with pairs of volunteers (one crewmember and one FS/Mission Support personnel as MCC) collaborating under communication delay on operationally relevant task situations, contrasting a texting tool (functionally comparable to the one currently used in NASA analog missions) with braiding. Volunteers received fictional but realistic information for each task to help them perform in their assigned role (MCC or Crew). The study involved two test sessions over two days, each presenting participants with three task events. Data collected included participants' post-session ratings of their time-delayed communication and a 30–45 min exit interview. Quantitative analyses indicated that participants rated braiding more favorably than texting with respect to the quality of their time-delayed communication and its ability to mitigate the impact of communication delay and support teamwork. Qualitative analyses revealed that participants appreciated the affordances of braiding—that the software organized their conversation by topic, maintained the chronological order of related messages, and brought continuity and a natural feel to their conversation—but were less comfortable with some of its constraints. These findings suggest that braiding can be an effective communication tool under time delay and also point to specific training issues to ensure that users feel at ease not only with braiding's resources but also its medium-specific restrictions.