GUIDELINES AND CAPABILITIES FOR DESIGNING HUMAN MISSIONS - NASA EXPLORATION TEAM HUMAN SUBSYSTEM WORKING GROUP (MAR 2002)

GUIDELINES AND CAPABILITIES FOR DESIGNING HUMAN MISSIONS - NASA EXPLORATION TEAM HUMAN SUBSYSTEM WORKING GROUP (MAR 2002)., The human element is likely the most complex and difficult one of mission design; it significantly influences every aspect of mission planning, from the basic parameters like duration to the more complex tradeoffs between mass, volume, power, risk, and cost. For engineers who rely on precise specifications in data books and other such technical references, dealing with the uncertainty and the variability of designing for human beings can be frustrating. When designing for the human element, questions arise more often than definitive answers. Nonetheless, we do not doubt that the most captivating discoveries in future space missions will necessitate human explorers. Beyond this statement of cause-and-effect, human-driven requirements are highly variable because of destination, operational environment, mission objectives, and more. Often, the precise quantification of parameters for a human mission is difficult without further study or precise definition of a specific mission architecture. Each mission design requires several iterations as the effects of the crew on the system architecture (and vice-versa) coalesce. For this reason, we see this document as a tool for understanding the many tradeoffs inherent in planning a human space flight mission. In the following pages, we convey the key drivers on human safety, health, and performance as simply as possible. By integrating this information into mission trade studies, mission planners can better address the most important human needs. We make every attempt to deal only with material necessary to mission designers in the conceptual design phase. The finer details of the vehicle design human and crew accommodations are not within the scope of this document.