Use of infrared telemetry as part of a nonintrusive inflight data collection system to collect human factors data

The objective of this paper is to present a methodology and rationale for development of a Nonintrusive Inflight Data Collection System (NIDCS) to collect Human Factors (HF) data during a space mission. These data will enable the research team to identify and resolve issues. This paper will present the background and history of the NIDCS, the methodology and techniques employed versus those in current use on Earth, initial results of the effort--including a brief description of the equipment, and, finally, a discussion of the scientific importance and possible future applications of this system elsewhere. The schema for the NIDCS includes a collection of three types of data: behavioral, physiological, and biomechanical. These will be collected using videotape of crew members' activities, bioelectric signal measurement, and measurement of kinematics and kinetics, respectively. This paper will focus on the second type of data, physiological activity as determined by changes in bioelectric potentials as crew members perform daily assignments.