Researchers from the
European Space Agency (ESA) have incorporated the
NASA PVT app, developed by NASA Human System Integration Division’s
Fatigue Countermeasures Lab, into systems on the International Space Station for evaluating human performance and circadian rhythms among astronauts.
The NASA PVT app was originally developed by researchers in the Fatigue Countermeasures Lab as part of the
Aeronautics Research Missions Directorate’s System-wide Safety Project to assess human performance among airline pilots. It features a reaction-time test to gauge alertness and a streamlined process for gathering information that scientists need to understand the relationship between fatigue and operator performance. The mobile app can be used by operators working in complex, real-world situations to collect valuable research data that will aid the development of reliable fatigue tests and countermeasures in the long term and help promote peak human performance during critical operations. The app had previously been used by NASA for spaceflight simulations, but this is the first time it will be used in space.
The PVT+ app is a free app available for
download from the Apple App Store.
