Out of this World Design: Bridging the Gap between Space Systems Engineering and Participatory Design Practices

Abstract

Ongoing democratization of access to space in combination with the prospect of long-duration missions off-planet are setting the stage for a new era in human spaceflight. An era characterized by a growing spectrum of people with diverse professional and demographic backgrounds living and working in space. The development of human spaceflight systems has historically been intertwined with prototype studies in analogue environments that approximate some of the extreme conditions associated with space operations. Examples include hypogravity reenacted during parabolic flight campaigns or challenging lighting conditions assessed during experimental deployments in underground caves. The high cost and logistical complexity of such approaches pose a significant barrier to relevant design activities, typically leading to a low frequency of studies, a relatively small number of participants and slow feedback loops, all antithetical to modern participatory design practices. Whilst successful in underpinning the highly specialized and engineering-driven space programs of the past century, it is increasingly apparent that these traditional approaches to space systems engineering are poorly equipped to accommodate the forthcoming end-user diversification and normalization of space travel. To explore an alternative approach, our team is in the process of developing a testbed facility enhanced through the use of mixed reality technologies. By leveraging physical mockups, gravity-offload systems and digital set extensions, we demonstrate a comparatively cost-effective and accessible way of interactively simulating key challenges associated with space operations. With that, we seek to lower the threshold for participation of relevant stakeholders in design and evaluations of pertinent space solutions. We conclude by reflecting on the viability and potential importance of participatory design and rapid prototyping methods in shaping the future of humanity’s endeavours in space.