Use of Laptop Computers in Future Spacecraft Crew Work Stations

The operational suitability of using laptop computers in crew work stations for future spacecraft and lunar/planetary bases has been assessed by evaluating conceptual mockups of these work stations. Analysis of the crew functions showed substantial commonality among crew work stations for earth orbit and lunar/planetary flight vehicles, as well as lunar/planetary bases. Further, the use of laptop computers in place of traditional fixed consoles was found to be suitable for most crew work stations and work sites in future spacecraft and space bases. With these analysis and evaluation results in hand, NASA will be able to take full advantage of capabilities currently available in laptop computers in future crew work station design.