HABITABILITY ASSESSMENT PROGRAM 

 David Now] is, Ph.D., Garrett Corp., Los Angeles 

 Harry H. Watters, NASA, Huntsville, Alabama 

 Edward C Wortz, Ph.D., Garrett Corp., Los Angeles 



ABSTRACT 



This paper summarizes the results of an attempt to develop and apply 

 evaluation techniques to measure parameters that affect the percep- 

 tion of life quality in an isolated habitat. Methods, procedures, 

 and results of the program are discussed. The objectives of devel- 

 opment and evaluation of methods for measuring habitability were 

 met during this program. In add i t ion, much was learned about the 

 problems of designing habitable structures for occupancy during 

 long periods in isolation. A series of conclusions are drawn from 

 the data and inferences are made concerning habitat design factors 

 such as privacy, food, task support, recreation, stimulus variety, 

 and duration of isolation. 



Introduction 



In one decade, Un i ted States manned space flight has progressed from the sub- 

 orbital flight of astronaut Alan B. Shephard to the current series of lunar 

 journeys. It is difficult to chart the course of development in the coming 

 decades, but some assumptions can be made: manned space flight will continue; 

 crew sizes will probably increase; missions, whether interplanetary or earth 

 orbital, will increase in duration; crews will be composed of individuals of 

 varied national ties and professional baci<grounds ; women will be in space; 

 missions will become less and less exploratory and more and more operational 

 or scientific; an element of hazard will remain; quarters will always be con- 

 fining; crewmen will always be isolated. Currently efforts are under way to 

 significantly reduce the cost of space flight, but it will always be important 

 to assure the most effective possible missions for the dollars invested. 



Questions that led to National Aeronaut i cs and Space Admi ni strati on (NASA) i nterest 

 in the Tektite program include: Where does one turn for guidance in the design 

 of spacecraft? How can we assure that crewmen are provided with a habitat that 

 supports their mission and helps provide for their continued well-being? In 

 short, how does one design for habitability? To date, NASA has relied upon 

 various analogs to space missions. There is a considerable body of available 

 research dealing with the subjects of isolation, confinement, stress, small 

 group dynamics, etc., and much relevant information has been extracted. The 

 Tektite II program, with its emphasis upon the scientific mission to be accom- 

 plished, its relative isolation from the shore support, and its several crews 

 consisting of scientists and engineers, provided an opportunity to (!) conduct 

 a directed study to confirm previous hypotheses, (2) further isolate those 

 environmental variables which enhance or degrade habitability, and (3) begin 

 to come to grips with a complex subject. 



VIII -&8 



