Human-machine and user interface solutions for long duration space missions (LDMs) : an evaluative design criteria approach for enhanced crew interactions

This paper presents the work-in-progress designed outcomes for an innovative and dynamic undergraduate university-based Australian space design project in collaboration with a leading space architecture program in the USA in designing for astronaut health and wellbeing. This year, the class focused on specific socio-technical and targeted socio-psychological challenges within a shared habitation environment under isolated-confined-extreme (ICE) conditions associated with long duration space missions (LDMs) with the goal to improve inter-crew experiences and mission success via heightened socialization rewards. A human-centered design approach incorporating project-based learning (PBL), establishing research domains and design goal framing was conducted in 4 teams of 10 Industrial Design students per team over 12-weeks, with 120-hours per student, each responding to crew interaction requirements, reflective analysis of learned earth-based behaviors, and countermeasures for microgravity. Exploration and design discovery methods employed included design thinking, human factors analysis, design semantic inquiry exploring product form, and a variety of virtual and low fidelity prototyping methods in gaining both team consensus and accelerated acculturation to LDMs and space knowledge as all students were new to space studies requiring a process of new knowledge immersion described in this paper. The paper concludes with the merits in hosting larger novice teams where evidence-based design research methods and interdisciplinary cooperation and translational knowledge transfer holds high motivation levels for undergraduates, and further scope in building individual and team management skills in complex projects of significance to all future collaborative work supporting employment destinations. The research gaps presented by this thematic focus suggest considerable scope for further crew habitat research in supporting crew teamwork, and refining approaches in evolving and validating design criteria and related outcomes.