Sean Pradhan

Papers

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About

Sean Pradhan is a leading researcher in the intersection of human factors engineering, spaceflight operations, and cognitive performance under extreme conditions. His primary research focuses on understanding how acute stressors—particularly sleep deprivation—impact astronauts’ ability to perform complex, high-stakes tasks during long-duration space missions. Pradhan’s most cited work, "Performance on the Robotics On-Board Trainer (ROBoT-r) Spaceflight Simulation During Acute Sleep Deprivation" (2020, 8 citations), is a landmark study that demonstrated how even short-term sleep loss degrades fine motor control and decision-making in simulated spaceflight robotics operations. This research directly informs NASA’s protocols for crew scheduling and autonomous mission support, addressing a critical gap in deep space exploration where real-time ground assistance is unavailable. By quantifying performance decrements in a realistic, high-fidelity simulation, Pradhan has provided actionable data for designing countermeasures like fatigue management systems and adaptive automation. His work is essential for ensuring crew safety and mission success on future lunar and Mars expeditions, making him a vital contributor to the field of space human factors.