Using physiological parameters to evaluate operator's workload in manual controlled Rendezvous and Docking (RVD)

Abstract

How to train the astronauts for complicated operation in spaceflight such as manually controlled rendezvous and docking (RVD) is a common and important question. In this paper, two training methods named Routine method and Confusing method were proposed from astronaut training experience. Two-factor experiment was conducted. The factors are training method and operation difficulty level. Sixteen male subjects participated in this experiment. Eight participants were trained with Routine method and the other eight trained with Confusing method. Physiological parameters, such as respiratory rate, body temperature, heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV), were adopted as the dependent variables to evaluate operator's workload. Results show that there are significant differences on body temperature, respiratory rate, cubic root of high frequency component (HF) of HRV, normalized low frequency component (LFNu) of HRV, and mean heart rate (HR) (p values are 0.010, 0.000, 0.042, 0.009 and 0.000, respectively) between training methods, while other physiological parameters show no significant difference. Furthermore, only significant difference on body temperature (p value is 0.010) was found between different operation difficulty levels. Therefore, suitable training methods deserve thorough investigation since they have significant effects on the physiological workload of the operators. In conclusion, this work provides insight into the effect of some influencing factors to workload during the RVD procedure, and will benefit the astronaut training in future. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.