Astronaut surrounded by data streams in space

Human Error in Space: How Astronauts Can Avoid Deadly Mistakes

Jordan Keane in Tech & Innovation August 2025 • 4 min read.

"A look at the psychology and practical strategies behind minimizing human error during critical space missions like manual rendezvous and docking."

The vast emptiness of space presents unparalleled challenges, demanding both technological precision and unwavering human performance. As space missions become more complex, the risk of human error looms large. Astronaut manual rendezvous and docking, intricate maneuvers requiring cognitive acuity and split-second decision-making, are particularly vulnerable.

Human error isn't simply a matter of carelessness; it's a complex interplay of psychological, physiological, and environmental factors. Understanding these influences is critical to developing effective countermeasures that can protect astronauts and ensure mission success. As reported by relevant data, about 85% of the accidents in the industrial enterprises in the present world were directly or indirectly caused by human errors [1]; thus, the subject of human error became one of the key problems researched by people.

This article delves into the mechanics of human error in astronaut manual rendezvous and docking, examining classification methods and defense strategies. By understanding the errors, we can create a safer, more reliable space exploration.

Understanding the Root Causes: How Human Error Takes Hold

Astronaut surrounded by data streams in space

Human error, in the context of space missions, can be defined as any deviation from planned actions that compromises mission objectives. This includes errors in judgment, decision-making, and execution. The consequences of these errors can range from minor setbacks to catastrophic failures.

Several models attempt to classify the types and origins of human error. These models help researchers and mission planners identify vulnerabilities and develop targeted interventions:

Swain's Classification: Focuses on execution errors (errors of commission) and omission errors (errors of omission).
Norman's Classification: Examines errors at different stages of action, from forming intentions to evaluating system status.
Rasmussen's SRK Model: Categorizes behavior into skill-based, rule-based, and knowledge-based levels, each prone to different types of errors.
Reason's Slip, Lapse, and Mistake Framework: Differentiates between slips (errors in execution), lapses (memory failures), and mistakes (errors in planning).

During manual rendezvous and docking, astronauts operate within a complex human-in-the-loop control system. They must interpret visual information, assess spatial relationships, make critical decisions, and execute precise maneuvers using manual controllers. Any breakdown in this chain can lead to error.

Charting a Safer Course: Implementing Error Prevention Strategies

Minimizing human error in space missions requires a multi-faceted approach that addresses technological design, astronaut training, and operational procedures. By applying the lessons learned from human error research, we can significantly enhance the safety and reliability of space exploration, paving the way for more ambitious endeavors in the cosmos.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1007/978-981-10-6232-2_24, Alternate LINK

Title: The Mechanism Of Human Error And Defense Strategies Of Astronaut Manual Rendezvous And Docking

Journal: Lecture Notes in Electrical Engineering

Publisher: Springer Singapore

Authors: Jiayi Cai, Weifen Huang, Jie Li, Liping Tian, Yanlei Wang, Zhi Yao

Published: 2017-08-22

Everything You Need To Know

What is the primary focus when discussing human error in space missions?

The primary focus is minimizing human error during critical space missions, particularly during astronaut manual rendezvous and docking. These maneuvers require precise cognitive function and quick decision-making, making them vulnerable to human error. Understanding these errors is critical to enhance mission safety and reliability. The article highlights the interplay of psychological, physiological, and environmental factors contributing to these errors.

What are the main types of human error classifications used in space mission analysis, and how do they help?

Several models classify human errors. Swain's Classification focuses on execution (commission) and omission errors. Norman's Classification examines errors from forming intentions to evaluating system status. Rasmussen's SRK Model categorizes behavior into skill-based, rule-based, and knowledge-based levels, each prone to different errors. Reason's Slip, Lapse, and Mistake Framework differentiates between slips (execution errors), lapses (memory failures), and mistakes (planning errors). These classifications help researchers and mission planners identify vulnerabilities and develop targeted interventions to improve astronaut performance.

How does the human-in-the-loop control system influence the risk of human error during manual rendezvous and docking?

During manual rendezvous and docking, astronauts are integral to a human-in-the-loop control system. They interpret visual data, assess spatial relationships, make critical decisions, and execute maneuvers using manual controllers. Any breakdown in this chain—from misinterpreting data to making a wrong control input—can lead to errors. This highlights the importance of comprehensive training, effective system design, and clear operational procedures to mitigate risks within this complex system.

What are the key strategies to prevent human errors in space missions?

Minimizing human error in space missions requires a multi-faceted approach. This includes improving technological design, enhancing astronaut training, and refining operational procedures. By applying lessons learned from human error research and understanding models like Swain's, Norman's, Rasmussen's SRK Model, and Reason's Slip, Lapse, and Mistake Framework, missions can be made safer and more reliable. Improving astronaut's abilities to function within human-in-the-loop control systems is also very important.

How do the different classifications of human error, such as those by Rasmussen and Reason, help in practical terms?

The classifications provide a framework for understanding and addressing the root causes of human error. Rasmussen's SRK Model helps to understand how different types of errors arise at different levels of cognitive processing (skill-based, rule-based, and knowledge-based). This allows for designing training and procedures specific to the type of task and the potential for error. Reason's Slip, Lapse, and Mistake Framework is helpful because it directly relates to how errors manifest: slips and lapses are often errors in execution, while mistakes stem from errors in planning or decision-making. This helps in developing targeted interventions, such as checklists to prevent slips and lapses, and improved decision-making training to reduce mistakes. These classification systems provide valuable insights for enhancing astronaut safety and mission success.