Evaluation of audio feedback system for Engineering Test Satellite VII

We have developed an audio interface system for the efficient operation of ETS-VII. Unlike a visual interface, this audio interface allows the operator: to observe information even if he is not focusing on it, and to easily identify trends and changes. The system analyzes telemetry information in real-time, and converts changes in the status of information into voice data, and changes in the magnitude of forces into motor noise frequency. The effectiveness of this audio interface was verified in ETS-VII operations by monitoring eye movements over time. Time is measured by the mean interval between status changes and command sub-missions. An eye-mark recorder records eye movements. With the audio interface, the operator has sojourned time to see graphic simulator/down link images. Without audio interface, the operator have sojourned to see telemetry display. Our data suggests that when using the audio interface the operator spends much less time looking at the display