The first generation space laundry system

UX Design - In collaboration with NASA JSC

This is the last portion of a large design project that was developed in collaboration with NASA Johnson Space Center. The goal of ALIS01 is to enable astronauts to wash their clothes in a micro-gravity environment taking into consideration the scarcity of resources in space, with the goal of improving hygiene as well as reducing the amount of waste that is generated during the supporting period of a space mission. 

The user experience of this device had to be developed with the astronauts time limitations as a priority, this section features UI/UX design and research for a compact appliance in the International Space Station.

Team: L. Talamas (Design) | R. Trevino (NASA Engineering Director)

The Current Supply Timeline

Every four months hundreds of pounds of clothes are sent to the International Space Station along with supplies to maintain up to six astronauts. Each pound is estimated to cost $10,000, and after a few days of reuse, clothes are discarded as waste in order to keep better hygiene.

User Journey

A physical system was designed and tested in collaboration with engineer Robert Trevino from NASA's Thermal Controls System's unit. The below is a summary that highlights of what the user is expected to go through while interacting with the appliance before, during, and after setting up a laundry cycle.

Touch Points

The majority of the astronaut’s time is estimated to be taken up by adequately loading garment bags that will be processed by the appliance. This time estimations were tested with a physical prototype and some space and mobility constrains.

Flow Diagram

Basic functions in the system like setting up a wash cycle, attending to warnings related to water, detergent, or filter supplies were considered as routine tasks that would be repeated enough until the user is familiar with these processes. The focus of the following tests and designs is focused on the one-time task of adding a profile. The goal is to be concise and streamline information requirements that will optimize wash cycles.

First-Time User Experience

With a split screen of status indicators for consumables and interactive touch screen, tested the three ways to move through a signup flow by swiping left and right, using long scrolling, or tapping to the next step.

Sensors and barcodes to identify the astronaut’s biometrics were thought through as a potential integration for a later version of this device, but are not currently being considered since those are not part of the astronauts’ forms of ID.

Final Visualization and Evaluation

Profiles would be reusable for the duration of the stay as defined by the astronaut during the profile creation process. This will help maintain the profiles current. Warning indicators with step by step guidance are provided in the case of a refill needed or a filter replacement. A timeline of the wash and dry cycles is visible for the duration of the process.