Mary Sandy

Headquarters, Washington, D.C. April 11, 1990

(Phone: 202/453-2754) Embargoed until 1 p.m. EDT

Donald G. James
Ames Research Center, Mountain View, Calif.
(Phone: 415/604-3935)

RELEASE: 90-53

NASA DEDICATES HUMAN PERFORMANCE LAB AT AMES RESEARCH

CENTER

NASA today unveiled its latest research laboratory designed

to answer fundamental questions about long-term human spaceflight
and to expand our knowledge of human factors in the nation's
increasingly crowded airspace system.

The Human Performance Research Laboratory (HPRL) at NASA's

Ames Research Center, Mountain View, Calif., is the first U.S.
facility designed and built to study the human role in advanced
aviation and prolonged space travel. Speaking at the dedication
ceremonies, Ames Center Director Dale Compton said that the HPRL
"will help scientists answer questions about the relationship
between humans and complex machinery. Ambitious space goals,
like a lunar outpost, a Mars expedition or the National
Aero-Space Plane, depend on a better understanding of how humans
will interact with machines in these missions."

Among the specialized laboratories and test facilities to be

included in the HPRL are those dedicated to development of
virtual environment workstations, computational vision and
advanced rotorcraft displays. The HPRL also will contain a
unique design facility for the U.S. Army/NASA Aircrew-Aircraft
Integration program.
 Compton, together with special guests, also broke ground for
the new $8.6 million, 59,000 sq. ft. Automation Sciences Research
Facility (ASRF) in today's ceremonies. The ASRF, scheduled for
completion in January 1992, will provide laboratories to conduct
research and technology development in automation and artificial
intelligence.

- more -
-2-

Compton said, "the decision to locate the Automation

Sciences Research Facility and Human Performance Research
Laboratory in a single complex recognizes that artificial
intelligence (AI) and human factors research complement each
other. A productive relationship between humans and machines is
critical in the aerospace program. Forging the ultimate
relationship between people and computers depends on shared
research between AI scientists and human factors experts."

One question these laboratories will address is how

humans will travel to Mars and return to Earth safely. Mars
expeditions likely will depart from Space Station Freedom.
Duringthe long trip to Mars, astronauts must rely more on
automated systems to make critical launch and mission operations
decisions.

Complex mission objectives imposed by high technology

projects like the National Aero-Space Plane, Space Station
Freedom, a lunar outpost and Mars exploration require
computer-controlled systems that complement highly-trained
humans. Specialized facilities in the HPRL and ASRF will greatly
enhance NASA's ability to develop and demonstrate computer
science technologies in artificial intelligence needed to support
the nation's aerospace endeavors.

-end-

NOTE TO EDITORS: Photographs are available to the media only by

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Color: 90-HC-202 Black and White: 90-H-217

TO: MDS/PRA Group

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Washington, D.C. 20036

DATE & TIME: April 11, 1990 2:00pm

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