Interactive Effects of Autonomous Operations and Circadian Factors on Crew Performance, Behavior, and Stress Physiology
- Paper number
IAC-12,A1,1,11,x14187
- Author
Dr. Pete Roma, IBR and Johns Hopkins Univ, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Steve Hursh, Institutes for Behavior Resources, Inc., United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Robert Hienz, The John Hopkins University, United States
- Coauthor
Ms. Zabecca Brinson, Institutes for Behavior Resources, Inc., United States
- Coauthor
Mr. Eric Gasior, Institutes for Behavior Resources, Inc., United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Joseph Brady, The John Hopkins University, United States
- Year
2012
- Abstract
Future long-duration space exploration and colonization missions will present unique challenges to crew behavioral health and performance. Specifically, factors such as autonomous operations, compromised communications, heavy workload, and circadian disruptions may interact to effect performance, behavior, and biological function. Here, we present the results of several experiments from our laboratory-based research program on the effects of bounded autonomy, the purpose of which was to contribute experimentally derived insights on these factors to the empirical database used during mission planning. Included are measures of performance, psychosocial adaptation, group cohesion, and stress physiology in long-term mixed-gender 3-person crews engaged in repeated "missions" on an interdependent planetary exploration task. Overall, the results consistently support the potential behavioral health and performance benefits of crew autonomy, but also reveal the limitations of autonomy as a countermeasure to operational stressors and underscore the importance of crew selection/composition when planning long-duration exploratory missions.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-12,A1,1,11,x14187.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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