Helmet-Mounted Display Technology for EVA Training in NASA's Neutral Buoyancy Lab
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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:
- Users (astronauts) found the real-time biofeedback and EVA parameters useful and readable.
- There was minimal physical conflict between the HMD hardware on the spacesuit and EVA training operations.
- The peripheral visual cues from HMD�s surface mount were effective only in certain scenarios.
- 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.
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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.