Team Starlab recently completed the construction of a full-scale mockup of one Starlab station level, which continues to undergo a series of extensive testing activities. These activities, known as Human Systems Integration or Human Factors Testing, aim to inform Starlab’s internal design and layout, while also providing recommendations for potential design opportunities to improve operational efficiencies and the overall crew experience.
The testing journey began last Fall with the low-fidelity mockup of Starlab, where white walls and basic representations of various components were used to simulate interior volumes. The primary goal was to decipher optimal placements for payload racks, benches, sleeping quarters, and other essential elements. This phase allowed the team to assess the spatial requirements, ensuring a seamless layout that enhances operational efficiency and crew experience.
A key aspect of this testing process involves placing actual individuals in the simulated space.
Participants, including retired NASA astronauts, operations experts, researchers, and non-professional flight enthusiasts, were involved in the initial three-week-long series of tests. The Human-in-the-Loop (HITL) approach allowed for the collection of valuable feedback on configurations, ensuring that the design not only meets operational needs but also provides a comfortable and intuitive user experience.
Welcome, ESA
Starlab prides itself on being a US-led international joint venture, passionate about expanding on the International Space Station’s legacy of global partnerships. Our partners today include leading commercial organizations from the United States, Europe, Japan, and Canada.
As we work to ensure that Starlab has a human-first approach to both working and living on board, we invited astronauts from the European Space Agency to participate in our HITL testing. They brought a wealth of expertise to the Starlab team, helping guide design decisions that will ensure Starlab is a high productive working environment, but also one that is comfortable for the crew on board.
Learn more about their experience:
These perspectives have proven invaluable in identifying critical considerations such as power, space, and thermal requirements, as well as how to best accommodate a diverse crew.
As the design progresses toward the Preliminary Design Review (PDR), Starlab stands at the forefront of innovation in commercial space exploration, promising a future where living and working in space is both practical and comfortable.