Human Factor Analysis of Light Emitting Diode Technologies for Aerospace Suitability in Human Space Flight Applications

摘要

Light emitting diodes (LED) are semiconductors that convert electrical energy into light and are used by commercial markets to replace traditional fluorescent and incandescent lighting technologies. Advantages of transitioning to LED technologies in spacecraft are reduced mass, reduced occupied volume, reduced power, improved color control, longer operating life, and lower cost associated with power consumption and disposal. Light emitting diode technologies remain a controversial technology in the aerospace industry, where there are no flight qualified sources and commercial manufacturers are the only source for procurement. An earlier phase of this research effort provided empirical evidence that selected commercial LEDs are capable of meeting NASA and DOD qualification and screening requirements. This paper addresses phase two of the research involving reliability for human factors in search of adverse effects, such as fatigue, eye strain, and headaches in astronauts. Reliability is defined as quality over time and the quality of cabin crew light is essential for long term missions where crew habitation relies solely on artificial light sources. In an effort to advance the technology readiness level (TRL) for human spacecraft lighting, a randomized block design was deployed for evaluating human factor effects using soft white light, emitted from LEDs and a general luminaire assembly (GLA) fluorescent representing current lighting on the International Space Station (ISS). There was no statistical evidence to support claims that the LED technology involved in this research caused fatigue, eye strain and/or headache in humans and that selected LED technologies may be considered for TRL advancement.