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This study was performed to aide in the creation of design requirements for the next generation of space suits that more accurately describe the level of mobility necessary for a suited crewmember through the use of an innovative methodology utilizing functional mobility. A novel method was utilized involving the collection of kinematic data while 20 subjects (10 male, 10 female) performed pertinent functional tasks that will be required of a suited crewmember during various phases of a lunar mission. These tasks were selected based on relevance and criticality from a larger list of tasks that may be carried out by the crew. Kinematic data was processed through Vicon BodyBuilder software to calculate joint angles for the ankle, knee, hip, torso, shoulder, elbow, and wrist. Maximum functional mobility was consistently lower than maximum isolated mobility.

A preliminary assessment of the reach envelope and field of vision (FOV) for a subject wearing a Mark III space suit was requested for use in human-machine interface design of the Science Crew Operations and Utility Testbed (SCOUT) vehicle. The reach and view of two suited and unsuited subjects were evaluated while seated in the vehicle using 3-dimensional position data collected during a series of reaching motions. Data was interpolated and displayed in orthogonal views and cross-sections. Compared with unsuited conditions, medio-lateral reach was not strongly affected by the Mark III suit, whereas vertical and antero-posterior reach were inhibited by the suit. Lateral FOV was reduced by approximately 40° in the suit. The techniques used in this case study may prove useful in human-machine interface design by providing a new means of developing and displaying reach envelopes.

According to NASA, any person with physical characteristics that are between those of a 5th percentile Japanese female and a 95th percentile American male shall be eligible to become an astronaut. Because of this guideline, pathways and workspaces within a space vehicle must accommodate a wide range of population. Unfortunately, there is often a shortage of space inside the space vehicle. Hence, designers try to maximize the use of space. One way to accomplish this is by finding the minimum volumetric requirement that would ensure safety and comfort for the crewmembers. Until now, static, uni-variate anthropometric data were used to derive these guidelines. Our concern is that they may misrepresent the dynamic postural variations of the crew onboard the space vehicle. We used a posture based whole-body anthropometric approach to determine the variation in the three different clearances and updated the design guidelines accordingly.