Challenges of Implementing Automation, Robotics, and Communications
in Future Space Missions
Abstract
Since the Mercury Program, the intricacy of human spaceflight has increased considerably. As we venture further into space with humans, the complexity of spacecraft systems required to support human missions to the Moon and Mars will increase dramatically. Automation, robotics, and communications will be critical to ensuring mission success, and keeping the astronauts both physiologically and psychologically healthy will be of utmost importance. This presentation provides an overview of the evolution of human spaceflight, system complexity, and many of the challenges for future deep space mission success—including automation, robotics, and communications technology. The importance of sound systems engineering and human systems integration critical for these future missions will also be covered.
Short Biography
Mr. George Salazar received his Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Houston and his Masters of Science in Systems Engineering from Southern Methodist University. He has over 35 years of experience in telemetry, communications, speech control, command and data handling, audio, displays and controls, intelligent lighting, project management, and systems engineering. He has been involved with the design of advanced telemetry, speech recognition and intelligent systems of which he has received various patents. He is currently serving at NASA’s Johnson Space Center as the Human-Computer Interface Technical Discipline Lead to develop advanced human interfaces as well as serving as the Displays and Controls Subsystem Manager for the Commercial Crew Program. He is the co-founder of the Human System Integration (HSI) Employee Resource Group with the goal of infusing HSI into the NASA technical processes. He is a Senior-Life IEEE member, a registered professional engineer in the state of Texas, and an Expert Systems Engineer Professional certification through the International Council on Systems Engineering.