The Space Human Factors and Habitability (SHFH) Element of the Human Research Program develops a variety of human factors and habitability products that will help keep crewmembers healthy, productive and comfortable during exploration missions.
SHFH human factors experts are developing tools to help assure that the designs of spacecraft and habitat are compatible with the physical and cognitive capabilities of crewmembers during space exploration missions. For example, SHFH researchers are determining the reach distances of crewmembers of different sizes and how these distances change when the crewmembers are wearing a pressurized spacesuit. Determining the reach and strength of humans in pressurized spacesuits will help engineers design future spacecraft and habitats in which crewmembers can live and work safely and effectively.
SHFH researchers also help design spaceflight sleep quarters that provide isolation from others, from the noise of the spacecraft as well as personal space for writing emails home or relaxing with a movie or book.
The SHFH Element sponsors environmental health studies to monitor the spacecraft physical environment in which crewmembers live and work. SHFH scientists develop limits for the amount of exposure that astronauts should have to such things as chemicals, bacteria, fungi, and dust. A crucial aspect of SHFH research involves new studies of the unique physical characteristics of lunar dust that may affect the health and productivity of crewmembers during a long lunar outpost mission.
SHFH food scientists help assure that exploration crews will have nutritious and palatable foods by designing future food systems that safely and efficiently store and preserve space foods. SHFH researchers are evaluating new food packaging materials that are lightweight and can be easily and efficiently disposed of thereby minimizing use of precious spacecraft resources such as volume and power.
