A human factors approach for Japanese experiment module development.

NASDA has been developing the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) in the International Space Station (ISS) program since 1985. From the experience of developing the JEM systems, the author will specify a conceptual framework of a human factors approach in space. First, human factors engineers should identify all the factors affecting the astronauts, hardware, and software in the manned space system being developed. In the JEM development, four major factors were identified: Habitability, Operation, Physiology, and Psychology. Second, the several phases of the JEM development cycle should be considered. Each phase is aimed at transforming the system requirements into actual functioning systems, analyzing and reviewing the design specification to ensure JEM meets or exceeds the requirements, and verifying the JEM crew-interface systems design. In the verification process, human factors engineers should consider the environment to which test subjects and models are exposed in the verification: 1 G, 0 G, isolated, confined and extreme environments.