Innovative Software Tools Measure Behavioral Alertness

For astronauts working aboard the International Space Station (ISS) in low-Earth orbit, getting adequate sleep is a challenge. For one, there’s that demanding and often unpredictable schedule. Maybe there’s an experiment needing attention one minute, a vehicle docking the next, followed by unexpected station repairs that need immediate attention. Next among sleep inhibitors is the catalogue of microgravity-related ailments, such as aching joints and backs, motion sickness, and uncomfortable sleeping positions. And then there is the body’s thrown-off perception of time.