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We are now entering the new space age! In 2021, for the first time in history that there is civilian crew in space, demonstrating the next frontier of human space exploration that will not be restricted to highly trained astronauts but will be open to a more general public. However, keeping a human healthy, happy and productive in space is one of t...
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... Moreover, private space companies have emerged as integral players in space exploration, enhancing the democratization and accessibility of space travel. Advancements in human-computer interaction (HCI) systems are being designed to support a diverse range of missions, enabling better human integration in space environments [57]. Additionally, innovative research in areas such as space life sciences is expanding our understanding of how biological systems adapt to space conditions, furthering efforts to cultivate food in space through fermentation processes [58]. ...
The space shuttle, a revolutionary spacecraft that has played a significant role in human space exploration, was composed of various advanced materials that were carefully selected to meet the extreme demands of spaceflight. This review paper provides a comprehensive examination of the materials historically employed in the construction of space shuttles and explores the latest trends shaping the field. The evolution of space shuttle materials is traced from the inception of the space program to contemporary missions, highlighting key milestones, challenges, and breakthroughs. Emphasis is placed on the critical role that materials play in the overall performance, safety, and sustainability of space shuttles. The paper begins by elucidating the diverse requirements that materials must fulfill in the harsh and complex environment of space, encompassing extreme temperatures, radiation exposure, and mechanical stresses. A detailed analysis of the materials utilized in the fabrication of various shuttle components, such as thermal protection systems, structural elements, and propulsion systems, is presented. Special attention is given to the challenges posed by re-entry and the strategies employed to mitigate heat-related issues. Furthermore, the review explores recent innovations and emerging materials that are reshaping the landscape of space shuttle design. Advancements in nanotechnology, composite materials, and additive manufacturing are discussed in the context of their potential applications for enhancing shuttle performance and reducing mission costs. The paper also addresses the importance of sustainability in space exploration, exploring materials with lower environmental impact and improved recyclability. The review concludes with a forward-looking perspective on the future of materials, considering ongoing research, development, and the potential incorporation of cutting-edge technologies. Insights are provided into how the evolving landscape of materials science may influence the design and manufacturing processes of the next generation of space vehicles. This paper provides an overview of the materials used in the construction of the space shuttle, including their properties, applications, and challenges. The materials used in the space shuttle are critical in ensuring the safety, performance, and longevity of the spacecraft, and understanding their characteristics and performance in space is crucial for the advancement of aerospace engineering.
... Several recent initiatives have explicitly called for greater involvement of HCI tools and methods in the context of human spaceflight, see e.g.,[111,112]. ...
Future crewed missions to the Moon will face significant environmental and operational challenges, posing risks to the safety and performance of astronauts navigating its inhospitable surface. Whilst head-up displays (HUDs) have proven effective in providing intuitive navigational support on Earth, the design of novel human spaceflight solutions typically relies on costly and time-consuming analogue deployments, leaving the potential use of lunar HUDs largely under-explored. This paper explores an alternative approach by simulating navigational HUD concepts in a high-fidelity Virtual Reality (VR) representation of the lunar environment. In evaluating these concepts with astronauts and other aerospace experts (n=25), our mixed methods study demonstrates the efficacy of simulated analogues in facilitating rapid design assessments of early-stage HUD solutions. We illustrate this by elaborating key design challenges and guidelines for future lunar HUDs. In reflecting on the limitations of our approach, we propose directions for future design exploration of human-machine interfaces for the Moon.
... Prospective colonization of other planets is an endeavor that presents many technical challenges, among which robust interactive computer technology to sustain life, work, and communication in environments with characteristics vastly different from Earth. The intersection of this endeavor with the HCI community is SpaceCHI [27,28], an initiative that delineates an area of scientific exploration where established methods, techniques, and approaches from within HCI are applied to support missions and discoveries in space exploration. Examples include designing user interfaces for interactive computer systems meant to be used in extraterrestrial environments by focusing on specific human factors [18], software [3], and hardware [29] and dealing with specific systems and human-related challenges, such as communications delays, reduced sensory input and motor output, and physiological effects that extraterrestrial environments may have on humans [12]. ...
... SpaceCHI [27,28] represents a recent initiative of the HCI scientific community to support human physical and mental performance in extraterrestrial environments by means of "designing new types of interactive systems and computer interfaces that can support human living and working in space and elsewhere in the solar system" [27, p. 1]. SpaceCHI places emphasis on the diversity of topical coverage in space exploration that requires HCI knowledge and expertise, ranging from "exoskeletons for supporting humans in low gravity, to virtual and augmented reality systems for interplanetary exploration, and even zero gravity musical interfaces for entertainment during the space mission. ...
... For example, in a series of CHI workshops, Pataranutaporn et al. invited scholars from across disciplines to brainstorm around the possibilities offered by HCI for space design. The result was a wide range of novel scenarios and use cases for space HCI research centered around emerging stakeholders, such as space tourists [67,68]. Similar approaches have been utilized to conceptualize hypothetical lunar settlements [16,90], or even to co-create new ideas around the future of food and eating in space [63]. ...
Revived interest in lunar exploration is heralding a new generation of design solutions in support of human operations on the Moon. While space system design has traditionally been guided by prototype deployments in analogue studies, the resource-intensive nature of this approach has largely precluded application of proficient user-centered design (UCD) methods from human-computer interaction (HCI). This paper explores possible use of Virtual Reality (VR) to simulate analogue studies in lab settings and thereby bring to bear UCD in this otherwise engineering-dominated field. Drawing on the ongoing development of the European Large Logistics Lander, we have recreated a prospective lunar operational scenario in VR and evaluated it with a group of astronauts and space experts (n=20). Our qualitative findings demonstrate the efficacy of VR in facilitating UCD, enabling efficient contextual inquiries and improving project team coordination. We conclude by proposing future directions to further exploit VR in lunar systems design.
... For example, in a series of CHI workshops, Pataranutaporn et al. invited scholars from across disciplines to brainstorm around the possibilities offered by HCI for space design. The result was a wide range of novel scenarios and use cases for space HCI research centered around emerging stakeholders, such as space tourists [67,68]. Similar approaches have been utilized to conceptualize hypothetical lunar settlements [16,90], or even to co-create new ideas around the future of food and eating in space [63]. ...
Revived interest in lunar exploration is heralding a new generation of design solutions in support of human operations on the Moon. While space system design has traditionally been guided by prototype deployments in analogue studies, the resource-intensive nature of this approach has largely precluded application of proficient user-centered design (UCD) methods from human-computer interaction (HCI). This paper explores possible use of Virtual Reality (VR) to simulate analogue studies in lab settings and thereby bring to bear UCD in this otherwise engineering-dominated field. Drawing on the ongoing development of the European Large Logistics Lander, we have recreated a prospective lunar operational scenario in VR and evaluated it with a group of astronauts and space experts (n=20). Our qualitative findings demonstrate the efficacy of VR in facilitating UCD, enabling efficient contextual inquiries and improving project team coordination. We conclude by proposing future directions to further exploit VR in lunar systems design.
