Translation of objects from earth to space - Designing for interplanetary space tourism

Abstract

The commercialization of Space is one of the trends that define the 21st century; because of this, it is pertinent to begin to evaluate the future needs that this new market will create and how industrial design will be meeting the new needs that this trend creates. The New Space Age opened a new path to human exploration of Space. In the same way, air travel translated from military and utilitarian uses to a commercial customer experience; the 21st century will see similar customization in the commercialization of space travel. It promises to make the experience of traveling to the Moon, Mars, and even Saturn accessible, without the need for the thorough training that astronauts must complete before traveling to Space.

This thesis will study one aspect of what is required to design objects for use in a non-gravity context. This study aims to develop objects for users with little to no experience in space travel. This thesis will study the deconstruction of basic objects from their semiotic composition to understand their morphological origins and translate earth-bound objects into a weightless environment. Approach it by applying and understanding the difference between astronaut-centered design and human-centered design. The basic needs of human beings in Space will be exhibited, and how space agencies have covered them for astronauts’ use. Questioning how these needs will be addressed for future space tourists. This thesis is meant to contribute to the dialogue of what designing for the inevitable commercialization of Space will entail. It will ideally function as an invitation for space agencies to include industrial designers in the human and astronaut-centered design process, hoping to create a collaborative environment that will design the future of space tourism.