Digital Human Simulation and Ergonomic Evaluation of Astronauts in Space Station Extravehicular Maintenance Tasks

ZHOU Qianxiang; SHEN Jiapeng; WANG Jiatao; GUO Pan; LIU Zhongqi

doi:10.19554/j.cnki.1001-3563.2026.16.003

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Packaging Engineering ›› 2026, Vol. 47 ›› Issue (16) : 36-44. DOI: 10.19554/j.cnki.1001-3563.2026.16.003

Special subject: Key Technologies and Applications of Digital Humans in Complex-Equipment Scenarios

Digital Human Simulation and Ergonomic Evaluation of Astronauts in Space Station Extravehicular Maintenance Tasks

ZHOU Qianxiang¹, SHEN Jiapeng¹, WANG Jiatao¹, GUO Pan², LIU Zhongqi^1,*

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Abstract

Ground-based experiments cannot fully reproduce the working postures and workload states of astronauts wearing extravehicular activity (EVA) suits in microgravity. To address this limitation, the work aims to develop a digital human simulation and ergonomic evaluation targeting typical extravehicular maintenance tasks. Based on the Jack platform, TCL scripts were used to impose EVA suit-related range-of-motion constraints on key joints of astronauts, and the global gravity parameters were modified to simulate a microgravity environment. An ergonomic assessment framework was established, focusing on three dimensions of reachability, postural load, and task sustainability, to evaluate two representative tasks including solar array damage repair and mechanical component replacement. The results revealed a persistent risk of shoulder postural fatigue, even though the microgravity condition effectively reduced anti-gravity loads on the lower limbs. Different constrained postures involved a trade-off between reachability and fine manipulation capability, indicating that posture selection should be based on task-specific characteristics. Furthermore, coordinated adjustments to the end-effector platform position and operational posture significantly improved upper limb joint comfort and visual-manual coordination. The proposed simulation workflow can be applied to early-stage human factors risk identification and posture scheme screening for EVA maintenance tasks, providing quantitative references for optimizing extravehicular operation planning and operational posture optimization.

Key words

digital human simulation / extravehicular maintenance / EVA suit joint constraints / microgravity / ergonomics

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ZHOU Qianxiang, SHEN Jiapeng, WANG Jiatao, GUO Pan, LIU Zhongqi. Digital Human Simulation and Ergonomic Evaluation of Astronauts in Space Station Extravehicular Maintenance Tasks[J]. Packaging Engineering. 2026, 47(16): 36-44 https://doi.org/10.19554/j.cnki.1001-3563.2026.16.003

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