Flight controller alertness and performance during spaceflight shiftwork operations

Area of Science:

• Aerospace Medicine
• Human Factors Engineering
• Sleep Science

Background:

• Shiftwork in Mission Operations Directorate (MOD) personnel leads to decreased alertness and performance.
• Fatigue, sleep loss, and circadian disruption are significant challenges for 24-hour operations.
• Space Transportation System (STS) operations require continuous coverage of critical tasks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the effects of shiftwork on flight controllers within the MOD.
• To conduct an initial operational test of procedures and measures for assessing alertness and performance.
• To gather baseline data on alertness and performance during MOD shiftwork operations.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a Background Questionnaire, a daily logbook for sleep and work patterns, and a performance/mood test battery.
• Administered tests at the beginning, middle, and end of each shift.
• Collected data from 17 flight controllers across 3 Orbit shifts during the STS-53 mission.

Main Results:

• Initial results indicate a clear need for further data collection across multiple STS missions.
• Baseline levels of alertness and performance during MOD shiftwork require documentation.
• The study highlights the pertinence of these issues for night shift operations and transitions.

Conclusions:

• Further data collection is essential to document baseline alertness and performance in MOD shiftwork.
• Countermeasure strategies are being developed to mitigate fatigue and circadian disruption.
• Addressing sleep and circadian disruption remains critical for future extended duration missions and Space Station operations.