How eye tracking can enhance space industry processes

The European Space Agency (ESA) recently launched the Arctic Weather Satellite on SpaceX’s Transporter-11, aiming to improve Arctic and global weather forecasts. This satellite's data will enhance weather predictions worldwide and contribute to climate change research. As the prime contractor for this mission, OHB Sweden stands at the forefront of space technology innovation.

We had the privilege of speaking with Nils Pokrupa, Head of the Spacecraft Systems Department at OHB Sweden, to gain valuable insights into the transformative potential of eye tracking technology within space industry operations.

He shared three key insights where our technology can make a significant impact:

1. Enhance quality control and training

In the space industry, especially in inspections of parts or units, integration processes, and quality control are very specific and governed by tight standards and procedures. Executing these tasks ultimately relies on human action or interaction—technicians, engineers, or inspectors performing the work in the lab. According to Nils, integrating eye tracking technology certainly would improve internal processes and quality.

Eye tracking allows for real-time monitoring of processes, helping to reduce human error and enhance quality control. It can also improve employee training. For instance, by using eye tracking to observe and analyze how experienced engineers perform their tasks, it’s possible to unveil hidden skills and facilitate knowledge transfer, which can lead to future improvements in procedures and overall quality.

2. Reduce human error

Expertise in space industry inspection processes often stems from experience rather than simply following predefined procedures. As noted by Nils, it is about learning a method of working that is aware, careful, and engaged to ensure that the work is done correctly, and mistakes are either avoided or promptly noticed. Eye tracking helps maintain the awareness needed to prevent errors.

By capturing and analyzing the visual attention of experienced workers, this technology provides valuable insights for training others on what to focus on and be aware of.

Compared to traditional inspection methods, which rely first on the visual inspection of drawings, images, hardware and data, eye tracking provides detailed insights into that first observation process. This helps make more informed decisions and enhances the application of good engineering judgment.

3. Ease employee training

Eye tracking can significantly enhance training by allowing novice employees to observe and learn from the strategies of experienced engineers and technicians.

Nils shared some practical examples:

• In an office environment, eye tracking can be used to better understand how satellite operators look and assess real-time flight data.
• During the interpretation of digital x-ray images from welding inspections, technicians assess these images on screens in the lab. Eye tracking can help trainees understand where and how to focus their attention.
• Another example is the visual inspection of mounted electrical harnessing, cabling, and connectors. Trainers can convey crucial details by using eye tracking to demonstrate what to look for.

Eye tracking technology undoubtedly enhances knowledge transfer, ensuring novice employees gain the awareness and skills necessary to perform their tasks accurately and efficiently.