Week of 05/31/2010

http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/multimedia/highlights

NASA is developing and testing new and innovative technologies that will enable the future of safe and efficient human exploration.

Reaction Self TestPsychomotor Vigilance Self Test on the International Space Station

Summary: The Reaction Self Test is a portable 5-minute reaction time task that allows crewmembers to monitor the daily effects of fatigue on their performance while aboard the International Space Station (ISS). This test is derived from the 10-minute Psychomotor Vigilance Test that was extensively validated in laboratory studies, simulators and operational environments.

Purpose: The Reaction Self Test helps astronauts objectively identify when their performance capability is degraded by various fatigue-related conditions that can occur as a result of ISS operations and their time in space.

Time Frame: The Reaction Self Test was successfully used during multiple missions of underwater field testing (NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operation or NEEMO for short), and is aboard ISS for use through Expedition 28.

Earth Application: This test may potentially benefit those who work in extreme conditions or long hours such as professionals in the medical, commercial airlines and safety industries.

More Information: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/science/experiments/Reaction_Self_Test.html

NASA flight surgeon Josef F. Schmid, M.D. works with the Psychomotor Vigilance Test inside the undersea

habitat during the 12th NEEMO mission. Credit: NASA