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Active TRL 2 (started at 2, targeting 3)
The technology proposed herein is the design and validation of a transdisciplinary framework that provides recommendations for the design of space architecture that will provide passive behavioral health countermeasures for long-duration spaceflight. The three aims associated with this proposal are 1. Extracting the design language of space architecture as informed by science fiction, historical spacecrafts, and spaceflight participants; 2. Creating a framework for providing and validating design recommendations for multimodal sensory stimulation using adaptive architecture; and 3. Developing a technology prototype from the framework for tactile-visual stimulation as a countermeasure against sensory deprivation. Literature studies, interviews developed from design research protocols, architectural analyses, and human participant experiments are the techniques proposed to conduct the research objectives. One of the largest risks associated with human spaceflight is regarding crew behavioral health and performance, with the risk growing for long-duration missions. For deep-space habitation and planetary travel, NASA has deemed adverse cognitive or behavioral conditions and psychiatric health as a risk that requires mitigation [1]. From the Human Research Roadmap (HRR), BMed-103 and BMed-104 identify the need for validated countermeasures for adverse behavioral conditions and modifications to the habitat to mitigate stressors impacting behavioral health, respectively [1]. At the intersection of these two NASA-identified research gaps, this proposal details a five-year research effort to investigate, design, and validate architectural design strategies that serve as individualized passive countermeasures to mitigate the risk of adverse behavioral health conditions for long-duration exploration missions. The driving value of this proposal is to enable crew for exploration; humans are incredibly resilient and adaptable – how do we make sure that the habitat serves their needs, provides a comfortable home, encourages creativity and exploration, and empowers them to live fulfilling lives? This proposal explores the human aspect of space environments and proposes a technological framework for design methodologies that will serve as passive countermeasures to behavioral health risks by creating an environment that feels like home. [1] Slack, K. J., et al. ""Evidence Report: Risk of Adverse Cognitive or Behavioral Conditions and Psychiatric Disorders."" NASA. 11 April 2016.
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