Helmet-Mounted Display Technology for EVA Training in NASA's Neutral Buoyancy Lab

Date

7/12/2021

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

50th International Conference on Environmental Systems

Abstract

The Human/Robotic/Vehicle Integration and Performance (HRVIP) Lab at University of California, Davis is collaborating with NASA�s Johnson Space Center (JSC) to design and test an extravehicular activity (EVA) spacesuit helmet-mounted display (HMD) to enhance astronaut situational awareness during underwater EVA training. An EVA HMD will enable astronauts to monitor and react to real-time information including physiological biometrics, spacesuit status, environmental factors, task procedures, and navigation aids.

To meet operational EVA challenges, HRVIP Lab is partnering with the JSC�s Human Physiology, Performance, Protection, and Operations (H-3PO) Lab to create HMD prototypes and test them during underwater EVA training in JSC�s Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL).

Two HMD mounting styles were designed and tested in the NBL. The swing arm HMD mount holds the display a short distance in front of the helmet to allow focusing on text-based real-time data. The surface HMD mount, positioned in the astronaut�s peripheral vision on the helmet visor, displays flashing colors as a minimal distraction alert to the user to check system status.

NBL testing of the HMD prototype during 2020 has resulted in the following findings:

  1. Users (astronauts) found the real-time biofeedback and EVA parameters useful and readable.
  2. There was minimal physical conflict between the HMD hardware on the spacesuit and EVA training operations.
  3. The peripheral visual cues from HMD�s surface mount were effective only in certain scenarios.
  4. Voice control enabled astronauts to use HMD autonomously, but also requires system improvements for increased reliability.

This HMD is a test bed for evaluating data visualizations and interfaces for potential future flight informatics. Feedback from these HMD evaluations will inform future heads-up displays, both for EVA training and for the next-generation spacesuit.

Description

Janine Moses, Univ. of California Davis; Human Physiology, Performance, Protection & Operations Laboratory, NASA Johnson Space Center
James Stoffel, Human Physiology, Performance, Protection & Operations Laboratory, NASA Johnson Space Center
Ruby Houchens, Univ. of California Davis; Human Physiology, Performance, Protection & Operations Laboratory, NASA Johnson Space Center
Jocelyn Dunn, Human Physiology, Performance, Protection & Operations Laboratory, NASA Johnson Space Center
Stephen Robinson, Professor and Director, UC Davis Center for Spaceflight Research
Andrew Abercromby, Human Physiology, Performance, Protection & Operations Laboratory, NASA Johnson Space Center
ICES403: Extravehicular Activity: Operations
The 50th International Conference on Environmental Systems was held virtually on 12 July 2021 through 14 July 2021.

Keywords

EVA training, EVA informatics, Heads-up display, Neutral Buoyancy Lab (NBL)

Citation