Performance evaluation in analogue space environments: Adaptation during an 8-month Antarctic wintering over expedition

Background: This paper reports a study which examined the impact of long-te rm isolation and confinement on multiple-task performance. Methods: A group of 10 scientists and 6 technicians from a French wintering-over expedition in the Antarctic participated in the 8-mo study. The group was tested 8 ti mes on a computerized simulation of a complex life support system. The task environment allowed the measurement of primary and secondary task performa nce, system control activities and subjective operator state. Results: No s igns of serious performance decrements were observed but a number of subtle indications of hidden decrements emerged. The data also revealed strong di fferences in performance between the professional groups. Finally, the pape r discusses the implications of the work for extended spaceflight.