322 Human Factors in Space Mission Irene Lia Schlacht, Matthias Rötting, Melchiorre Masali, and Margherita Micheletti Cremasco Keywords: Architecture, Design, Extreme environment, Human Factors, Space Mission Abstract Living in Outer Space has a deep influence on human life. Isolation, extreme conditions and modified gravity affect the human psycho-physiologically. Astronauts have to uphold them- selves on the interior design of a space habitat for their well-being and safety (Schlacht et al., 2006). In weightlessness with a new dimensional cognition visual stimuli as the interior con- figuration are fundamental to achieve orientation because the vestibular system becomes silent (Mallowe, 2001). In the context of a PhD study on “Habitability for Outer Space” at the TU-Berlin Human- Machine System Dept., colours, shapes and movements are the visual stimuli involved in a Human Factors investigation aimed to increase the habitability of space habitat. Abb.1: Blue Moon Base with a square configuration. Stuttgart Universität SSDW 2009 Human Factors discipline Human Factors is a human centred discipline aimed to optimize the interaction between a hu- man being and a system. It is meant to design the best performance conditions to experience and increase knowledge. The concept of knowledge and experience is for the first time intro- duced in the Human Factors concept to exalt the need of quality in a human being life. Human Factors apply in Outer Space The life quality became a key factor in the context of Human Space Flight, in particular for Long Duration Mission (NASA, 2003). Applying the Human Factors concept to Architecture we are talking about the quality of habitability. In Outer Space Architecture the factors influ- encing the habitability are countless: First of all mission and motivation to succeed in it. Also we have to deal with crew and the social isolation from a psychological perspective. The varia- tion of gravity has ergonomic implications on the approach within the interior design and also affects the human body physically. The living space is tiny, confined and isolated while the outer environment is the most extreme, characterized by radiation, meteorites and space dust. It creates a feeling of everyday life risks and may affect the circadian biorhythms. Feelings are also relevant as well as the habitat’s atmosphere and emotions, immeasurable but important factors that interact with the overall system performances.