1-G human factors for optimal processing and operability of constellation Ground Systems

In the early stages of the exploration systems mission directorate (ESMD), during the transition from the orbital space plane project (OSP) program to the constellation program, the requirements for 1-G (Earth gravity) human factors were not well-defined. Since that time, the requirements have been defined at different levels of maturity for flight hardware/software, ground support systems (GSS) and ground support equipment (GSE). Effectively all areas are leveraging human factors for optimizing ground processing of flight hardware. This paper gives an overview of these areas; within the outer-mold-line of the flight hardware, at the ground systems to flight systems interface, and the design of the GSS and GSE leading up to the flight systems interface. The major focus of this paper is on the current requirements and processes for infusing human factors into the designs of GSS and GSE. This paper aims to explain to the human factors practitioner how human factors were infused into a large program with an existing culture that does not have human factors listed separately in the work breakdown structure (WBS). This paper also aims to educate the constellation program (CxP) about the importance of human factors in ground processing and launch operations of launch vehicles.