Re-Engineering Student Thought Processes Using Spaceflight Operations

摘要

The concepts of operational thinking and human-centered design are important for human spaceflight and space exploration. The emergence of commercial spaceflight opportunities presents an anticipated need to fill critical industry positions within companies engaged in the space industry. Iowa State University (ISU) developed a Spaceflight Operations Workshop seeking to enable graduating engineering students to be more versed in aspects of operational thinking. The workshop approach consists of three components: knowledge, tools, and application. Students first gain knowledge in basic operational concepts of spacefaring vehicle systems, extreme environment of space, and human spaceflight They are then presented an opportunity to utilize various tools to aid in their ability to evaluate situations and improve understanding, performance, and efficiency. Finally, students apply skills and knowledge gained to exercises similar to those used during astronaut training. Example lessons include exposure to NASA International Space Station (ISS) operational systems/procedures development; leadership and team building; decision making; and spaceflight physiology. These lessons are coupled with field exercises including SCUBA certification, airplane flight simulator training, virtual reality scenarios (ISS fire emergency response), wilderness survival, and skydiving. Through the workshop, students are exposed to human-centered design concepts of functionality and usability. Now in its third year of being conducted at ISU, reaction to the workshop has been highly favorable. Further goals include increasing student interest in STEAM fields, while providing awareness of and appreciation for a more operational thought process. The workshop offers a framework to better prepare students for positions in multi-faceted engineering corporations (e.g., Boeing, SpaceX, John Deere, Caterpillar). It is intended that future workshops will broaden in scope to reach a larger community, including educators and commercial industry leaders.