Crew size, composition, and time: Implications for habitat and workplace design in extreme environments

Marilyn Dudley-Rowley, Stewart Whitney, Sheryl Bishop, Barrett Caldwell, Patrick D. Nolan

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

The authors report the results of an ongoing study that investigates the effects of crew size, composition, mission duration, and mission interval on behavior and performance among polar and space expeditions. The standardized rates for a behavior/performance indicator constructed during the pilot study displayed distinctive patterns across different crew profiles and settings. Then, a further analysis over the missions in the pilot sample found compelling information suggesting that several factors created specific differentials between outside (baseline) groups (e.g., mission controllers, "folks back home") and groups in extreme environments. These differentials reflected how the passage of time was subjectivized by crews and how the expeditionary situation was otherwise defined differently from baseline. These analyses suggest that the definition of the long-duration mission, such as a mission to Mars, likely involves more than the issue of real-time duration. Also, crew size and composition of such ventures need to be examined in light of social and behavioral information that can be obtained from the expeditionary record. These analyses hold important implications for habitat and workplace design in extreme environments, such as those to be deployed for Mars surface operations.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationSAE Technical Papers
DOIs
StatePublished - 2001
Externally publishedYes
Event31st International Conference on Environmental Systems - Orlando, FL, United States
Duration: Jul 9 2001Jul 12 2001

Other

Other31st International Conference on Environmental Systems
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityOrlando, FL
Period7/9/017/12/01

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Automotive Engineering
  • Safety, Risk, Reliability and Quality
  • Pollution
  • Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Crew size, composition, and time: Implications for habitat and workplace design in extreme environments'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this