OBJECTIVE AND CONTEXT

The success of any space mission is highly dependent on the astronauts’ ability to function at peak performance in an isolated and confined environment far from any external support. The Magic Windows system is a multimedia communication and information system designed to enhance a spacecraft’s habitability and optimize its functionality through visual and auditory communication. This system, comprised of several components, could be used for teleconferencing, replacing printed manuals, exercise enhancement and feedback, and displaying mission related information and procedures, among many other uses. The team focused on medical care with the specific task of surgical repair of a hand laceration.

CONSIDERATIONS

•  The system is designed to replace the current inefficient requirement of toggling between stationary computers, thick printed manuals, fixed communication stations and PDAs.

•  The system must be comfortable and minimalist in bulk, weight and form where focus must be on the task not the distraction of the system.

•  The system must offer seamless on demand intuitive information flow from auditory and visual instruction. The system must also offer the ability to toggle between communication with mission control, internally to the spacecraft, and various procedural manuals.

•  Human factor considerations were key notably in adjustability to accommodate various size ranges and performance considerations such as perspiration which may impede vision, wearability and carrying comfort. The team studied anthropometric data and created fictitious personas representing the extreme from Boris a 95% percentile Russian male to Mei a Chinese 5% percentile female. The considerations were not limited to physical size but also included language barriers.

•  Vision and the ability to see the task at hand while offering information through the projection in peripheral vision required extensive research into the physical operation of the eye and fields of vision.

•  The audio component was more straightforward as it could rely on existing Bluetooth technology and currently available earpiece configurations although the unit required modification to fit with the overall head piece.

•  Given the various environmental considerations and lighting limitations the head unit required integrated illumination which made for a complex configuration of features.

•  The team determined through research that the unit required data display of medical history, diagnosis, dosage information, vascularization, anesthetizing, wound cleaning, digital nerve block, overlays depicting nerves, arteries, tendons, suturing and stapling, and bandaging and splinting.

PROCESS

Given the research intensive nature of this project, the problem statement and design directive were primarily driven by the required tasks and available technologies. Students developed multiple concepts with intensive scenario simulations to understand the psychological needs and interface of the astronauts.

SUMMARY

This project had extensive both functional/technical and anthropomorphic considerations. The students discovered the best means to design process and discovery required multiple prototypes. The product form has to be comfortable and convey a sense of reliability for the astronaut to feel secure in this device for all their communication and more importantly emergency needs. The final concept was well received and the team theorized the technology could have terrestrial applications in science experiments and training, entertainment, and equipment repairs and trouble-shooting.

Students: Alida Camp, Alex Chatham, Jade Do, Ava Soboda

Faculty: Michael Lye

This project was made possible by generous funding from the Rhode Island Space Grant.