Responsible Center: NASA JSC
Grant Monitor: Whitmire, Alexandra
Center Contact:
alexandra.m.whitmire@nasa.gov
Unique ID: 16085
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Solicitation / Funding Source: Directed Research
Grant/Contract No.: 80NSSC24K1298
Project Type: Ground
Flight Program:
TechPort: No |
No. of Post Docs: 1
No. of PhD Candidates: 1
No. of Master's Candidates: 0
No. of Bachelor's Candidates: 0
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No. of PhD Degrees: 0
No. of Master's Degrees: 0
No. of Bachelor's Degrees: 0
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| Human Research Program Elements: |
(1) HFBP:Human Factors & Behavioral Performance (IRP Rev H)
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| Human Research Program Risks: |
(1) Dynamic Loads:Risk of In-Mission Injury and Performance Decrements and Long-term Health Effects due to Dynamic Loads
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| Human Research Program Gaps: |
(1) DL-101:We do not understand the risk of injury associated with crewed vehicle landings and how this risk relates to the desired acceptable risk.
(2) DL-201:We do not know how load dynamics and sex differences affect injury risk in spaceflight conditions and do not have adequate injury assessment reference values (IARVs) to mitigate the increased risk of injury to the crew.
(3) DL-301:We do not have an identified, validated and standardized approach for vehicle instrumentation and biodynamic data collection, and predictive analytic biodynamic modeling that would allow for specific risk injury prediction by mission-phase, crew functionality post-landing, and vehicle design.
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| Task Description: |
Injury prediction and prevention in domains analogous to spaceflight dynamic events commonly rely on the use of anthropomorphic test devices (ATD), also known as crash test dummies. While ATDs have been effective in reducing injury in several domains, their use is limited in spaceflight as the dynamic events often involve the use of a seat or spacesuit that may not be compatible with the ATDs, and the dynamic events themselves may not be reproducible in a laboratory setting. Finite element human body models, on the other hand, can be outfitted with a spacesuit and fit into any seat design that may be used. These models can then predict the loads, accelerations, etc., of the body during the dynamic phases of flight. However, the acceptable level of injury risk in spaceflight is much lower than in analogous domains such as the automotive industry. There are currently no established thresholds for which loads on these human body models correspond to these lower levels of injury probability. This task seeks to identify these thresholds, also known as injury assessment reference values (IARVs), for the neck. This process starts by first identifying spaceflight relevant datasets of injurious and noninjurious loading to the neck. Next, the loading conditions from these datasets will be reconstructed with the human body models, and various outputs such as forces, bending moments, and/or stresses will be extracted. These outputs, also known as injury metrics, will then be correlated with the injury data to create injury risk curves. Finally, IARVs will be established, corresponding to the NASA definition of acceptable risk. This will enable more precise prediction of neck injury in a wider range of loading than is currently possible. This is a vital step in reducing injury risk during spaceflight. |
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| Rationale for HRP Directed Research: |
This task is NASA-directed due to research activities that are time sensitive, and these activities are highly constrained in that they involve working directly with multiple internal NASA programs, including the Human Landing System (HLS) and Orion. The research focuses on defining how the loads a crewmember may experience during unique events such as a lunar landing or surface operations correspond to a certain risk of injury, and it is expected to involve the discussion of proprietary information related to provider vehicles. The Human Physiology, Performance, Protection, and Operations Laboratory (H-3PO) at Johnson Space Center (JSC) has performed research in this area and has working relationships with subject matter experts at Wake Forest, which will make the effort more feasible and acceptable, and as cost-efficient as possible. |
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| Research Impact/Earth Benefits: |
Protecting the cervical spines of astronauts is critical for mission success. NASA has a very high standard of safety to prevent even minor injuries to the neck. Due to the limited access to medical care in spaceflight missions, injury prevention is highly determined by the ability to predict the risk of injury to the neck in spaceflight conditions. To develop neck injury risk assessments for spaceflight, evaluating lower energy collisions on Earth is essential, as it closely replicates launch and landing conditions. Similarly, neck injuries to vehicle occupants in collisions may be debilitating, especially for those without access to timely medical intervention. |
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