The Human Factors of Additive Manufacturing on Human Extra-Terrestrial Missions

<p><strong>Introduction <br></strong>Additive manufacturing technologies have been successfully implemented in the concept designs for human interplanetary missions for some years. They not only play an important role in the designs of future-extra-terrestrial habitats, but the benefits of 3D printing have already been successfully tested on the International Space Station (ISS). [1] <br>However, while such studies of in-situ manufacturing techniques concentrate heavily on applications in the area of engineering or on the potential of 3D printing sustenance, they regretfully neglect to explore the potential benefits additive manufacturing could have for the Human Factors of space exploration. [1, 2]<br>Based on experiments during a lunar simulation at the Hawai´i Space Exploration Analog and Simulations (HI-SEAS) habitat, this paper investigates how additive manufacturing can improve liveability in a space habitat.<br>Personal objects and leisure time items are indispensable for manned space exploration, as they greatly contribute to the astronauts’ mental health and psychosocial balance. Access to a 3D printer bears the potential of a much greater flexibility and variety in personal items, and could also offer the possibility to customize leisure objects to specific needs and moods of astronauts. In addition, through the limited payloads and possibilities of recycling everyday objects, additive manufacturing technology offers the opportunity to greatly enhance the sustainability the of any human extra-terrestrial mission.</p><p><strong>Methodology <br></strong>In December 2019 the European Space Agency’s (ESA) EuroMoonMars (EMM) and International Lunar Exploration Working Group (ILEWG) initiated an analog astronaut simulation in cooperation with the International MoonBase Alliance (IMA). During this mission (EMMIHS-II - EuroMoonMars IMA HI-SEAS) the Human Factors of Additive Manufacturing Study was conducted as a basis for this paper. Psychological effects, changes in mood and work effectiveness, and the possibility to create and maintain a connection to Earth by 3D printing seasonal objects and decorations, were assessed.<br>The study delivered positive results about the use of additive manufacturing from a Human Factors point of view, as well as the confirmation of the use in engineering. The results open up the possibilities for further studies of the Human Factors of additive manufacturing during future analog simulations.</p><p><strong>Acknowledgements<br></strong>First, I would like to thank our fellow EMMIHS-II crew members (M. Musilova, A. J. D’Angelo, A. P. Castro de Paula Nunes, C.R. Pouwels) and the EMMIHS-II mission sponsors. In addition, my gratitude goes out to the HI-SEAS Mission Control, ground support at ESA/ESTEC and the ILEWG EuroMoonMars manager, Prof. B. H. Foing, for enabling this research.</p><p> </p><p><strong>References:<br></strong>[1] T. Prater et al (2019), Overview of the In-Space Manufacturing Technology Portfolio, NASA & ISS National Lab Microgravity Materials Science Workshop, Georgia, US.<br>[2] M. Terfansky, M. Thangavelu (2013), 3D Printing of Food for Space Missions, California, US.<br>[3] M. Musilova, H. Rogers, B. H. Foing et al (2019). EMM IMA HI-SEAS campaign February 2019. EPSC-DPS2019-1152.<br>[4] EuroMoonMars Instruments, Research, Field Campaigns and Activities 2017-2019. B. H. Foing, EuroMoonMars 2018-2019 Team. 2019 LPI Contrib. No. 3090.</p>