Equipment

Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation (GVS)

Anonymous — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 17:39:19 +0000

Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation (GVS) Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 04/12/2023 - 11:39

We have a number of GVS devices utilized for various research purposes. The GVS devices provide small currents (< 4 mA) to the inner ear, which can modulate both semicircular canal and otolith organ afferents. Some practical applications for this neuromodulation we have investigated include using GVS as an alternative display modality to relay information, as a disorientation trainer to induce similar sensations astronauts experience during gravity transitions, and to enhance balance performance.

Traditional

White

Glovebox

Anonymous — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 20:12:46 +0000

Glovebox Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 04/11/2023 - 14:12

We can influence the pressure inside this chamber to be less than or greater than the ambient environment. This allows us to conduct performance testing on gas-pressure space suit components, such as gloves and boots. Additionally, the endcap can be removed to create a lower body positive pressure environment to create fluid shifts similar to those seen in space.

Traditional

White

Sound Booth

Anonymous — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 20:08:49 +0000

Sound Booth Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 04/11/2023 - 14:08

A single walled isolation chamber to suppress sounds inside and outside of the booth. This equipment is used to assess performance in tasks that are sensitive to external distractions, such as perception threshold testing. It has been used to understand how sensory noise influences perception and cognition.

Traditional

White

Textile Manufacturing

Anonymous — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 19:51:48 +0000

Textile Manufacturing Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 04/11/2023 - 13:51

We have a manufacturing station which offers industrial grade sewing abilities (Brother CS-6000i, Juki MO-644D Serger, and Brother Z-8550A), weaving equipment, and physical models. The station has been used to create space suit components, sensor alternatives, and experimental garments.

Traditional

White

Neurophysiology

Anonymous — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 19:15:33 +0000

Neurophysiology Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 04/11/2023 - 13:15

Neurophysiological monitoring is being used for a variety of projects to understand an operator's cognitive states, such as trust, workload, or situation awareness. They can also be used to understand one's performance or for health monitoring. We have a suite of sensors ranging from laboratory level to wearables. For neuro measurements we havea NirSport fNIRS device and a Neuroelectrics Enobio 32 channel EEG system. For physiological monitoring we have a Biopac MP160 with capabilities for ECG, respiration, and electrodermal activity. We have a suite of wearable sensors including Biosignalplux (fNIRS, EEG, ECG), Empatica E4, and Polar H10. Developments within the lab also include woven ECG electrodes. Finally, we have a Pupil Labs Pupil Core headset which can take eye tracking and pupillometry measurements. We can also utilize these monitoring capabilities under a wide range of scenarios. Some examples may include during physical workloads while on our cycle ergometer and/or at different temperatures within our portable environment chamber.

Traditional

White

Augmented and Virtual Reality

Anonymous — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 17:04:25 +0000

Augmented and Virtual Reality Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 04/11/2023 - 11:04

Multiple virtual reality (VR) head-mounted displays (HMDs) are utilized in the laboratory for various research purposes, such as mocking-up spaceflight habitats and performing operational tasks similar to those we expect astronauts to face. Some of the HMDs include Oculus models (Rift DK2 and Quest) and HTC Vive (gen 1, Vive 2, and Vive 2 Pro Eye). Other equipment which interfaces with VR includes the omni-directional treadmill (KAT VR) and Roto Chair. The KAT VR is a stationary treadmill which allows individuals to move around in VR environments while staying securely in place. This prevents the user from losing their balance or hitting physical hazards while exploring a virtual environment. The Roto VR Chair rotates along the yaw axis, allowing a person to match their angular position being observed in VR. We have used this chair previously to induce vestibulo-ocular illusions. The Microsoft Hololens is also used for research ulizing augmented reality.

Traditional

White

Spacesuit Mockups

Anonymous — Wed, 23 Mar 2022 20:06:48 +0000

Spacesuit Mockups Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 03/23/2022 - 14:06

Two spacesuit mockups based on NASA's Exploration Extravehicular Mobility Unit (xEMU) design are used in the bioastronautics focus area to simulate restrictions crewmembers face in operational environments. The suits were designed and built by the human spaceflight graduate projects team led by former NASA astronaut Colonel Jim Voss and feature a hard upper torso; hand-sewn arms, legs, and gloves; a personal life support system mockup with functioning liquid cooling garment; and other features similar to real spacesuits. The suits are used in human factors tests, simulated landing and docking events, and outreach activities.

Traditional

White

Habitats Optimized for Missions of Exploration (HOME)

Anonymous — Wed, 23 Mar 2022 19:40:13 +0000

Habitats Optimized for Missions of Exploration (HOME) Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 03/23/2022 - 13:40

The Habitats Optimized for Missions of Exploration (HOME) mockup was designed and built by the human spaceflight graduate projects team led by former NASA astronaut Colonel Jim Voss. The graduate projects experience includes learning systems engineering design, manufacturing, and human factors testing principles in the context of crewed landers, rovers, habitats, etc. The HOME mockup includes displays, docking and landing control simulators, a science station, a 6DOF robotic arm, data connections to environmental control testbeds, and day-in-the-life stations similar to those in actual space habitat designs. Researchers spread across a variety of projects use the mockup to investigate human health and performance and to develop environmental control systems.

Traditional

White

JANA

Anonymous — Wed, 16 Mar 2022 19:34:04 +0000

JANA Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 03/16/2022 - 13:34

JANA is a small thermal vacuum chamber that uses heaters and an LN2 cooled shroud inside an 18”x30” bell jar to test components at temperatures ranging from -180°C to +100°C under vacuum levels below 10-5 torr to simulate the space environment. It can also be operated at partial pressures up to 1 atm to simulate other relevant planetary surface environments. This TVAC chamber was donated to our lab by the Sierra Nevada Corporation.

Traditional

White

Tilt-Translation Sled (TTS)

Anonymous — Wed, 16 Mar 2022 19:30:31 +0000

Tilt-Translation Sled (TTS) Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 03/16/2022 - 13:30

The Tilt-Translation Sled (TTS) is a device donated by the Neuroscience Laboratory of NASA Johnson Space Center. It is capable of administering motions in roll tilt, pitch tilt, X-axis translation, and Y-axis translation. Motion stimuli can be administered in a variety of profiles (i.e. sinusoidal, sigmoidal, etc.) and at various frequencies. Two-way audio communication and infrared video allow for subject monitoring by the operators. Other funtionalilty includes the incorporation of a tablet (e.g., for performing a visual search task or reporting translation directions), virtual reality, Galvanic vestibular stimulation, an orientation reporting bar, and a joystick for manual control capabilities.

Traditional

White