User Experience of Collaborative Interaction in Low Earth Orbit

This UX research case study explores the potential for collaborative work in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), and identifies design requirements that can support effective collaborative work on the International Space Station (ISS) and future in-space habitats.

To achieve these goals, I conducted literature reviews, stakeholder interviews, and video analysis of collaborative work on the ISS. My findings reveal that there is a significant opportunity for increased collaborative interaction on the ISS, despite the current low level of collaborative activity. I also identified several challenges associated with collaborative work in LEO, including communication difficulties and limitations on physical movement and workspace. I also identified several design requirements that can help better support collaborative work on the ISS, including the need for improved communication tools, more flexible workspace configurations, and enhanced training and support for collaborative work in LEO.

Based on my findings, I recommend that NASA prioritize efforts to increase collaborative interaction on the ISS, and consider the design requirements identified through my video analysis when developing future space station designs. My research provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities associated with collaborative work in space, and can help guide future research and design efforts in this important and emerging field.

Introduction:

Space exploration has long been a topic of fascination and wonder, capturing the imagination of people around the world. With the launch of the International Space Station (ISS) in 1998, humans have been living and working in space for over two decades. However, despite this incredible achievement, there are still many challenges to be addressed when it comes to living and working in space.

One area that has received limited attention in the field of space exploration is the role of collaborative work in low Earth orbit (LEO). Collaborative work, or team activity, is an important focus for human-computer interaction (HCI) and UX research, as it has been shown to have a significant impact on team performance, satisfaction, and well-being. However, despite the potential benefits of collaborative work in LEO, it has not been widely utilized on the ISS.

This UX research case study aims to explore the potential for collaborative work on the ISS, and identify design requirements that can support effective collaborative work in LEO. By conducting a literature review, stakeholder interviews, and video analysis of collaborative work on the ISS, we hope to shed light on the challenges and opportunities associated with collaborative work in space, and provide recommendations for future research and design efforts.

Research Methods:

To collect data for this UX research project, we used a combination of literature review, stakeholder interviews, and video analysis.

Following the stakeholder interviews, we conducted a census of all collaborative activity that took place during the 2014 calendar year on the International Space Station (ISS). This census was designed to better understand the current state of collaborative interaction in low Earth orbit (LEO) and identify potential areas for improvement.

From this census, we then requested video footage of Collaborative Interaction on the ISS, which was used for the video analysis portion of the study. The purpose of the video analysis was to better understand the mechanics of collaborative work in LEO and identify design requirements that could better support collaborative work on the ISS.

Findings:

Based on the literature review, stakeholder interviews, and video analysis, we identified several key findings.

First, we found that there is a significant opportunity for increased collaborative interaction on the ISS. Despite the potential benefits of collaborative work, our census revealed that the current level of collaborative activity on the ISS is relatively low.

Second, we identified several challenges associated with collaborative work in LEO, including communication difficulties and limitations on physical movement and workspace.

Finally, we identified several design requirements that could help better support collaborative work on the ISS. These design requirements included the need for improved communication tools, more flexible workspace configurations, and enhanced training and support for collaborative work in LEO.

Recommendations:

Based on our findings, we recommend that NASA prioritize efforts to increase collaborative interaction on the ISS. This includes investing in the development of tools and resources that can better support collaborative work in LEO, as well as providing additional training and support for individuals engaging in collaborative work on the ISS.

We also recommend that NASA consider the design requirements identified through our video analysis, and explore ways to implement these requirements into future vehicle and station designs.

Conclusion:

This UX research project used a combination of literature review, stakeholder interviews, census analysis, and video analysis to identify challenges and design requirements for collaborative work in LEO. The findings and recommendations can help guide future research and design efforts in this important and emerging field, and contribute to the development of in-space habitats that can support effective collaborative work.