353. Design and Ops Considerations for Human Space Flight Occupant Safety – CU

Team

Project Description

This proposed collaborative effort involves three PI’s in the Center of Excellence for Commercial Space Transportation (COE CST) – Professor David Klaus from the University of Colorado Boulder (CU), Dr. Jim Vanderploeg from the University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston (UTMB) and Professor Guy Boy from the Florida Institute of Technology (FIT).

The combined task is intended to review and augment the FAA’s Recommended Practices for Human Space Flight Occupant Safety (Version 1.0, TC14-0037 dated August 27, 2014) from the collective perspectives of each research group spanning vehicle design and outfitting (CU), medical care and health concerns (UTMB), and Human Centered Design (FIT).

Project Outcomes

This task is expected to produce two primary outcomes. First, from AIM 1, feedback will be provided to the FAA AST office regarding suggested edits and/or additions to the Recommended Practices document.

Additionally, from AIM 2, one or more independent and/or collaborative journal and/or conference papers will be submitted that describe and rationalize suggested design and operational considerations identified from the literature, government documents, and by test or analysis, as applicable. In both cases, input from industry and government will also be solicited for consideration in the final products.

Summary of Output

The FAA Recommended Practices document provides a framework of subject areas that the FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation (AST) believes are important aspects for improving the safety of launch and entry vehicles designed to carry humans. The document also offers a platform that may be used to help identify and establish industry consensus standards and provide supporting information for potential future regulatory decision making, should that need arise.