The Digital Astronaut Simulation (DAS) is a biomechanics simulation tool used to better understand the dynamic interaction between humans and spaceflight systems/environments. Collecting motion capture data and employing the opensource software, OpenSim, with modified full body musculoskeletal models and custom analysis plugins, or an MBDyn human body model, the DAS provides terrestrial, reduced gravity, and microgravity quantification of human joint loading and external loads with hardware and spaceflight environments. DAS capabilities have supported exercise countermeasures, including the design and development of Vibration Isolation and Stabilization (VIS) systems for exploration exercise devices, engineering R&D including modeling and simulation of an upper limb offload device, and technology innovation including the developmental capability to assess of the dynamic feasibility of lunar tasks.
