Determining Window Placement and Configuration for the Small Pressurized Rover (SPR)

A natural component to driving any type of vehicle, whether Earth-based or space-based, is visibility. In its simplest form, visibility is a measure of the distance at which an object can be seen. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have human factors guidelines for the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station (ISS) windows, in terms of ergonomics and safety. However, there is little research with respect to lunar vehicles. The goal of the current study was to obtain preliminary human-in-the-loop data on window placement and configuration for the small pressurized rover (SPR). Nine participants evaluated multiple areas along the vehicle's front “nose”, while actively maneuvering through several lunar driving simulations. Subjective data was collected on areas of necessity, frequency of views, and placement/configuration of windows. Results indicated a desire for large field-of-view windows spanning the front of the vehicle with slightly reduced window areas for the lower front, lower corners, and side views.