AAWSAP DIRD, Cognitive Limits on Simultaneous Control of Multiple Unmanned Spacecraft, December 2010

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Chapter 6: Conclusions
There is a lack of research in the area of cognitive limits on the number of spacecraft
one pilot could control given any mission scenario. Two models for examining what are
similar activities are air traffic control and remote piloting of multiple unmanned
vehicles. We have shown the research progress in both areas, and the cognitive limits
on the number of craft that can be simultaneously controlled are 16 for simple
destination selection, 7 for moderately complex piloting and/or mission task completion,
and 4 for complex heterogeneous craft. Future research may increase the automation
component of aircraft and mission control, but there is no evidence to date that a
complete mental picture can be maintained, even with external working memory
augmentation, for more than about 16 objects at one time.
We have additionally shown that physiological variables can be objectively employed to
indicate overload. Nominal success has been achieved in classifying physiological states
near high workload and thus able to predict and thus possibly prevent overload. We
expect this classification will be achieved with near perfect accuracy within five years of
specific studies being commenced.
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