Informing the Development of a Safety and Performance Metric Selection Toolkit

Abstract

Ensuring safety and optimal performance in Long Distance and Duration Exploration Missions (LDDEM) is critical to enabling success in future missions. However, selecting appropriate metrics for assessing safety and performance remains a challenge. The current research endeavor aims to address this challenge through the development of a metric selection tool architecture. Prior to the current facet of metric toolkit development, a systematic review of NASA documents and literature aided in identifying overarching themes for measuring human-automation interaction. However, many of the studies found in this literature review, were not specific to the spaceflight domain. Since this toolkit is being constructed to serve a specific audience – NASA designers and engineers – it is critical that the toolkit be designed based on their unique needs and preferences. Therefore, so as to inform toolkit design and development for the spaceflight domain, structured interviews were conducted with NASA employees to enhance effectiveness of the measurement selection apparatus. Interviews were coded to detect trends in responses and incorporate feedback into the next prototype design stage. Results provided insight into design features, measurement challenges, current procedures, and work environmental factors that will be integrated into the current toolkit. Respondent feedback implications and future directions for toolkit improvement are discussed.