56: How Jason Hutt Helps Put Space Crews at Ease

Jason is the lead for Orion Crew Systems Integration at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

Human factors are always considered when designing a new spacecraft for the crew. Jason and his team consider EVERY BUTTON, SWITCH, and DIAL placement, function, and purpose. This is just a PART of Jason's intricate role helping our space exploration crews travel safely… he's got more than 25 years of experience training astronauts and flight controllers to operate life support system components on-board the International Space Station, AND he's trained response to on-board emergencies such as fire, rapid depressurization, and toxic release. Whew!

Impressive! How did it all start?

Jason's MOM took him to see Star Trek at a young age where he was first introduced to space designs and ideas! He knew at an early age that he wanted to be an aerospace engineer.

When you left Shuttle Program to go to International Space Station Program, what were some of the challenges?

"One of the most difficult challenges applying his years of knowledge from International Space Station to the new Orion capsule, has been the size. There's also a different identification language from station to capsule. These are intricate details that are really important…"

All of the consumer electronics impose challenges on board when in space. Batteries can be very toxic. (A fire in space is really bad). Materials testing is important, knowing what kind of chemicals on board is very important. It can ever determine the type of masks the crew would wear in the case of an emergency.

"Crews accept risks every day. That's not going away. There are things that can go wrong and we put together a response that we think will work, but it's not proven. We owe it to them to make sure we are looking at hazards and are reasonably addressing them. Even if it's something simple and straightforward."- Jason Hutt

What's next for your work on Orion?

"Human In the Loop" testing campaign- where crew members get into the mock-ups, and all the various aspects of the cockpit are tested. Jason and the human engineering team take concerns and issues to a forum to be presented along with doctors, health care representatives, radiation experts, astronaut representatives, operations, an entire team of people! They look to address each of the problems and concerns to see what and how needs to happen next.

FUN FACTS ABOUT JASON ONLY DISCOVERED IN THIS EPISODE OF CASUAL SPACE:

• "Jason brings a sense of safety and relaxation to every mission….."
• STAR WARS helped influence Jason's work on modern-day space ship designs!
• Jason is going to Disney's Galaxy's Edge in Florida with his family to geek out!
• Astronauts provide feedback to Jason and his team when they return from a spaceflight!

• Jason is a Sci-fi writer! One of his books features a realistic story of how to take care of a spacecraft if you were needing to live inside it for a really long time. Hmmm, sounds like work imitating life imitating work…..

About Jason: Jason is the Orion Crew Systems Integration Lead at the NASA Johnson Space Center. Co-Chair the Orion Cockpit Working Group. Review proposed crew interfaces and crew support hardware to ensure they meet NASA requirements. Jason and his team help formulate technical recommendations on the addition of new hardware to the Orion cockpit through the integration of design proposals from hardware owners with assessments from human engineering, environments, radiation, acoustics, and crew medical experts. Jason has worked to help support both the space exploration crews and the vehicles that carry them beyond Earth's orbit for quite some time.

More about Jason… in his own words: Jason Hutt has worked in human spaceflight for 20 years, contributing to the development and operations of the International Space Station and, more recently, as the Crew Systems Integration Lead for the NASA Orion Program. Over 20 years, he's held a variety of roles including ISS Environmental Control and Life Support Systems Instructor, Station Training Lead, ISS CAPCOM, as well as various management positions. In his current role, Jason is responsible for ensuring the integrated Orion cockpit allows the astronaut crew to successfully and safely complete Artemis Program missions. Jason lives in Houston, Texas, with his wife, 3 daughters, 3 dogs, 1 cat, and a handful of fish. He graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and started his professional career commanding satellites as a contractor for the US Navy. Originally from Philadelphia, he has never met a cheesesteak he wouldn't eat. In his spare time, you may find him writing science fiction or tinkering in the Star Wars room of his house.

For more information about Orion:

https://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/orion/index.html

Check out a sneak peek video of inside Orion here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVYwFFzaPp0