Humans need a few basic things to survive – air, water, food, heat, shelter – but just surviving isn’t really enough. We also need familiarity, a little comfort, interaction, a small place of our own.
When it comes to designing space habitat modules, engineers have that first set of basic needs covered, but figuring out the how to incorporate those other things, that not only keep an astronaut alive, but also mentally healthy and happy, is a little more complicated. Science writer Mary Roach, author of Packing for Mars, guides us through the evolution of space habitat modules and how far design can be optimized for zero g before astronauts start to lose it.
Learn how design can support ventures in space in this episode of 99% Invisible, a new podcast from San Francisco’s KALW Radio that looks at the power and process of design. LUNAR is helping underwrite 99% Invisible.
