NASA astronauts during Artemis II missions also carried out one of the most demanding and risky parts of the flight – the return to the Earth’s atmosphere – so the public’s focus shifted to the capsule Orion and the conditions in which the crew resided. During preparations and testing, we already had the opportunity to see how some parts of everyday life in the capsule look like. But what the Artemis II mission capsule looks like from the inside – see and read below.
Every element inside the Orion capsule is designed to withstand extreme loads during launch and landing. Of course, it should also be adapted to human use. Precisely the so-called Human factors – the way people interact with technology – are becoming an increasingly important part of spacecraft design.
Safety as an imperative
The basic principle in designing is still the safety, first of all of the crew, and then of the aircraft itself. The capsule goes through rigorous testing to withstand the enormous forces of re-entry into the atmosphere, but equal attention is paid to details that at first glance seem less important.
One of the key examples is the seats, which play a crucial role during landing at speeds of up to 40,000 kilometers per hour. According to Olga Banova from the University of Houston, a well-designed seat can significantly reduce the risk of injury. It must absorb strong impacts and transfer as little force as possible to the astronaut’s body. The seats in the Orion capsule are designed to fit almost the entire population and are adjustable to allow access to controls even in protective suits.
Due to the strong G-forces during the flight, it is difficult for the astronauts to even raise their arms at certain moments. For this reason, specialized controllers are used for control, such as rotary knobs and devices similar to gamepad controllers. This approach enables interaction with systems even in conditions where larger movements are limited. The inspiration for this approach was certainly the various types of gaming controllers and joysticks throughout the history of video games.
Inside, Artemis II also brings comfort to the astronauts
In addition to physical safety, psychological factors are also of increasing importance. NASA designers increasingly take into account the comfort, privacy and daily habits of astronauts. For example, crew members have different preferences when it comes to sleeping. Let’s say, from positions near the control panels to “hanging” positions in the capsule.
Living indoors also brings challenges such as noise, odors and limited space, which is why special attention is paid to acoustics and odor control. Even systems like toilets are undergoing additional upgrades to meet these standards.
NASA
NASA
NASA
NASAExperts point out that design in space missions is no longer just an aesthetic issue, but directly affects the efficiency and safety of work. According to Sebastian Aristotelis from the SAGA company, a well-designed space contributes to the feeling of security and trust in the system. The differences in the design approach are also visible in comparison with other aircraft, such as the Crew Dragon company SpaceX. While the Orion uses a greater number of physical controls and switches, the Crew Dragon relies on a greater number of touchscreens, indicating different philosophies of control and information display.
Always available data, but not in an aggressive way
The organization of information is one of the key challenges. Too much data can make it difficult to make decisions in critical situations. That’s why interfaces are designed to provide astronauts with the right information at the right time, without unnecessary burden.
With the development of software and automation, more and more control of the aircraft is taken over by computer systems. However, astronauts still have a key surveillance role and the ability to take control in emergency situations. That in NASA the team always remains one of the basic principles of design.
The inside of Artemis II is just the beginning…
In the end, the design of spacecraft includes everything – from technical systems to the psychological experience of space. The goal is not only functionality, but also the creation of an environment in which astronauts can work efficiently, make decisions and spend long periods of time in isolated conditions.
That’s why the way the Artemis II mission capsule works and looks like inside is very important, for all future successful space missions. Follow up NASA official site for more details.
