The third volume of the NASA Technical Paper applies our theoretical framework to the problem of eye-head-trunk coordination during walking or running. This informed design of the functional visual assessment test (FVAT) that provides a measure of visual “acuity” that is sensitive to changes in perceptual-motor coordination resulting from space adaptation.

The second volume of the NASA Technical Paper applies our theoretical framework for nested human-environment interactions to the problems of flight crew perception and performance during planned and potential aerodynamic maneuvers of space vehicles. The analysis can guide the development of flight deck displays and controls that increase robustness of the human-machine system.

This first volume of the NASA Technical Paper describes the theoretical and operational foundations for our analysis of multi-modal perception and multi-criterion control of nested biomechanical systems. While the approach generalizes to all forms of locomotion, the focus is on coordination of postural control and vehicular control during changes in the velocity vector that are unique to aircraft.