The full program is available as a PDF download at the HFES Web site, http://hfes.org, click on "47th Annual Meeting." To obtain copies of the papers noted below, to request a press pass to the meeting, or to reach the speakers, contact Lois Smith (310-394-1811, lois@hfes.org).
AEROSPACE
Upgrades to the Caution and Warning System of the Space Shuttle
Jeffrey W. McCandless, San Jose University and NASA Ames Research Center
Tuesday October 14, 10:30 a.m.-12:00 noon, Governor's Square 16
A key safety component of the space shuttle is a complex computerized Caution and Warning System, which is responsible for notifying the space shuttle crew of possible problems through auditory and visuals alerts. This study describes recent upgrades to this system.
A main component of the CWS is the fault summary display, which contains text messages describing malfunctions. One deficiency of the current system is that it is frequently overloaded with excessive data, making it difficult for crew to interpret the information. This display is being updated as part of the Cockpit Avionics Upgrade at NASA Johnson Space Center. The upgraded version has an easier-to-decipher layout with multiple text fields that improve functionality by pinpointing and centralizing sources of failure and overall shuttle health.
These upgrades and modifications are based on collaboration among several groups, including astronauts, astronaut trainers, human factors scientists, flight software experts, and Mi
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Contact: Lois Smith
lois@hfes.org
310-394-1811
Human Factors and Ergonomics Society
3-Oct-2003