Engineering planetary exploration systems : Integrating novel technologies and the human element using work domain analysis
conference paper
The realisation of sustainable space exploration and utilisation requires not only the development of novel concepts and technologies, but also their successful integration. Hardware, software, and the human element must be integrated effectively to make the dream for which these technologies were created a reality. Work Domain Analysis (WDA), the first phase of Cognitive Work Analysis, is becoming widely used for the holistic analysis and design of complex sociotechnical systems. However, the majority of these applications are for extant systems, or systems with a similar extant predecessor. This paper presents a brief introduction to WDA and a discussion of its application to the Mission Execution Crew Assistant (MECA). This application was performed to determine whether WDA is useful as a design tool for technologies without extant predecessors or operational experience, such as MECA, and also to evaluate a methodological approach to WDA developed in Australia. While improvements are suggested for the methodological approach, it was found to be an excellent source of guidance in the application of WDA. Outcomes of the application of WDA to the MECA system were found to be constructive for the MECA project team, indicating that WDA holds promise for application to first-of-a-kind systems in the space industry.
Topics
AustraliaCognitive work analysisDesign toolHolistic analysisMethodological approachMission executionNovel conceptOperational experiencePlanetary explorationProject teamSociotechnical systemsSpace explorationsSpace industryWork domain analysisIntegrationInterplanetary spacecraftSpace flightSpace researchTechnologyCognitive systems
TNO Identifier
347478
ISBN
9781615671601
Article nr.
1577
Source title
59th International Astronautical Congress 2008, IAC 2008, 29 September 2008 through 3 October 2008, Glasgow
Pages
7863-7877