Integrating Human Factors into MBSE Towards Lunar Habitat Human-Centered Design

Following the Artemis program, a global initiative to revitalize lunar exploration is underway, with a firm commitment to establishing a sustained human presence on the Moon. Recognizing the strategic importance of the lunar South Pole, the International Space Exploration Coordination Group (ISECG) has emphasized the necessity of a long-term surface habitat in the Global Exploration Roadmap by the end of the 2030s. This endeavor represents a significant milestone in human spaceflight, requiring the collaboration of multiple international partners and the integration of diverse engineering disciplines. A lunar habitat will be the most complex extraterrestrial settlement ever designed, necessitating a high degree of autonomy, reliability, and adaptability. To ensure crew safety, health, and operational efficiency, the habitat must accommodate a range of intricate system, human, and environmental interactions. Developed in collaboration with ISAE-SUPAERO (Toulouse, FR), this research delves into the crucial role of integrating Human Factors Engineering (HFE) into Systems Engineering (SE) to facilitate early validation of system architecture and behavior in lunar habitats with a Human-Centered Design (HCD) approach. HFE, characterized by iterative, non-functional, and qualitative methodologies, often faces challenges when juxtaposed with the top-down, function-oriented approach of systems engineering. This study proposes a novel framework that harmonizes these disciplines within a unified, model-driven approach, thereby enhancing the accuracy and comprehensiveness of system characterization throughout mission operations. A key limitation in conventional system modeling languages is the depiction of astronauts as external entities rather than integral components of the system. This paradigm is challenged by advocating for a holistic representation of human-system interactions through Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) models. Starting from a risk of inadequate Human-System Integration assessment, the methodology involves analyzing the sample system to map task sequences, resource utilization, and data flows, followed by the development of interconnected system- and human-centered diagrams that evaluate both functional and physical attributes. These models are then interfaced and merged to generate an integrated habitat model that includes the crew as an active subsystem, offering new analytical perspectives for systems engineers and human factors specialists during early-stage design processes. The proposed framework not only refines the representation of human-related factors, but also enhances interdisciplinary communication among engineers, designers, and mission stakeholders. By embedding astronauts as intrinsic system elements, their influence on mission performance, safety, and reliability is systematically evaluated. Here, the critical role of integrating HFE within SE through MBSE is underscored to optimize lunar habitat design, mitigate mission risks, and ensure the long-term sustainability of human spaceflight beyond Earth’s orbit.