![]() Having access to microgravity as part of Teague’s design and development process is an important tool to inform our understanding, influence design directions, and guide our recommendations for these new off-world environments.Īs a first-time flier on a research flight with about 30 parabolas, it took me 10-15 parabolas to begin feeling capable in the environment. To enable more people to go to space and contribute to new discoveries and innovations, we must design microgravity habitats that are more accessible and easier to use for lesser-trained future crews. At the same time, commercial space is broadening access to low Earth orbit and beyond for more of humankind. However, microgravity is not something we can relate to in a strictly Earth-bound human experience. As experts in human-centered design (HCD), we’ve interviewed astronauts, tested designs via mock-ups, and leveraged VR and AR tools to simulate microgravity and envision future use case scenarios. Based on the breadth of these practical and emotional insights, I believe people and teams designing off-world environments should join Zero-G flights to better understand the effects of microgravity to deliver more fully informed solutions.Īt Teague, we’ve designed experiences and environments in aerospace for more than 50 years. ![]() As a designer moving through 12 combined minutes of weightlessness, some of my learnings were observable, but many were experiential. Zero-G flights are critical for testing hardware designs and training future spaceflight participants. Currently, these flights are the only way to experience weightlessness on Earth like you would in space. I believe people and teams designing off-world environments should join Zero-G flights to better understand the effects of microgravity to deliver more fully informed solutions.Ī Zero-G flight takes you through a series of parabolas, steep climbs, and descents in a converted Boeing 727 aircraft, creating a microgravity environment for 25 to 30 seconds at a time. Not only was it a personal dream come true, but I gained first-hand knowledge that has shaped my perspective on how we should design for humans in microgravity environments for the next era of space exploration. In August, I had the incredible opportunity to experience weightlessness on a Zero Gravity flight.
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