Human Factors in Spaceflight Operations

Abstract

One aspect which is predestined to be overlooked in a highly technical environment like space operations is the “man in the loop”, who acts not fully predictable like a computer, but whose actions are partially influenced and affected by completely different, non-technical domains: the psychological or physical constitution of human beings and their interactions within a group. This chapter focuses on factors which minimize errors with potentially severe consequences and which improve the performance of high responsibility teams acting in a complex and dynamic environment. It establishes a link between those factors and operational concepts of spaceflight operations.