Utilizing Ecological Perception to Support Precision Lunar Landing

In this paper, we introduce the motivation for and design of and integrated flight instrument display component for use during vertical landing and hover operations of a future Lunar lander to support the vision to return to the Moon. A description of the human-system interface design approach to include a cognitive task analysis is outlined. The results of the analysis and the design of the resultant precision landing aid are discussed. The proposed integrated flight instrument display component, the Vertical Altitude and Velocity Indicator (VAVI), which leverages ecological perception through emergent features, is described in detail as well as the motivation and the rationale behind its design. The applicability of the precision landing aid to the aviation domain for use in V/STOL aircraft and rotorcraft is also discussed.