(Feb 15, 2006)

As a member of an Independent Review Team (IRT), Dr. Steve Casner provided human factors risk mitigation strategies for the Stardust Mission recovery mission. The IRT consisted of experts from several disciplines relevant to the recovery mission. Dr. Casner served as the human factors representative for the NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) on the IRT. In this role, Dr. Casner advised the Stardust recovery team on human factors issues related to checklist procedures, fatigue, hypothermia, night vision, and helicopter operations. Prior to capsule recovery, two full-mission practice recoveries were completed in the Utah desert during November and December while the IRT observed all aspects of the operation. The Stardust Mission capsule was successfully recovered at 3 AM on January 15, 2006. Other human factors contributors from the Human Factors Research and Technology Division included Dr. Tina Beard, NESC Deputy for Human Factors and Dr. Immanuel Barshi.