Human Factor Analysis of Light Emitting Diode Technologies for Aerospace Suitability in Human Space Flight Applications

Light emitting diodes (LED) are semiconductors that convert electrical energy into light and are used by the commercial markets to replace traditional fluorescent and incandescent lighting technologies for consumers to take advantage of energy savings. Advantages of transitioning to LED technologies in spacecraft are reduced mass, reduced occupied volume, reduced power, improved color control, longer operating life, and lower cost associated with power consumption and disposal. According to Brainard et al (2012) newly designed U.S. spacecraft, and ISS fluorescent tube replacements, must utilize LEDs in lieu of traditional artificial light sources to take advantage of technology improvements. Light emitting diode technologies remain a controversial technology in the aerospace industry, where there are no qualified sources and commercial manufacturers are the only source for procurement.

The topic of LED technologies requires research to seek information about suitability for use in human space flight applications. Reliability is defined as quality over time and the quality of cabin crew light is essential for long term missions where crew habitation relies soley on artificial light sources. In an effeort to advance the TRL for human spacecraft lighting, a randomized block design was deployed for evaluating human factor effects using soft white light, emitted from LEDs and a NASA qualified ISS fluorescent.