Modelling and revealing success factors of cooperation in human spaceflight using FRAM

Several skills and knowledge are required for astronauts and flight controllers in human spaceflight. Lists of human behavior and performance (HBP) competencies were developed for International Space Station (ISS) astronauts by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The lists of HBP competencies are useful for several purposes such as crew training and selections. However, it is not enough to understand the relationships and interactions of HBP competencies from the list. It is required to model the relationships of the HBP competencies to assess and train the abilities efficiently. In this research, we identified foreground and background functions from interviews with astronaut instructors, and we then made models of HBP competencies to reveal success factors of cooperative operations in human spaceflight using Functional Resonance Analysis Method (FRAM). The model was validated by the dialog analysis of cases in Apollo 11 and 13 missions. The study will contribute to select candidates of astronauts and train necessary competencies for future human spaceflight missions. Furthermore, the model can be used for automating crew’s tasks for future missions.