Spaceflight Noise Effects on Human Performance in a Microgravity Environment

During nonpowered flight in the orbital phase, the primary sources of spacecraft noise are the life support systems, electronic equipment, and attitude control devices within the cabin. The noise intensity fluctuates based on the cabin's configuration and structure and can persist for prolonged durations. The effects of noise intensity in a microgravity environment on the cognitive load and operational performance of onboard personnel are not yet fully understood.

Experiments were conducted involving simulated space station warning interface alarm tasks and manual rendezvous and docking tasks in a virtual reality condition, with 30 volunteers who had normal hearing and were positioned in a head-down posture. The noise from the spacecraft was recorded from the Tiangong space station to create four distinct noise intensity levels. These levels were designed to simulate typical noise scenarios across various functional modules.

The study demonstrates a significant main effect of steady state noise intensity on average pupil diameter, indicating a substantial impact on cognitive load. Specifically, high-intensity noise levels exceeding 65 dB(A) markedly intensified interference with cognitive load and operational efficiency. The complexity of alarm events also significantly influenced task completion time, with the longest duration observed under third-level alarm events. Furthermore, the accuracy of task execution declined progressively with increasing noise levels.

This study presents novel empirical evidence regarding the impact of varying noise levels on human performance in microgravity conditions. The findings offer significant insights for enhancing habitability design and optimizing astronaut task performance in future spacecraft environments. Li J, Gan Y, Sima Y, Hu J. Spaceflight noise effects on human performance in a microgravity environment. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2026; 97(1):36-41.