ABSTRACT
Continued manned presence on space stations or Earth-orbiting pressurized modules requires research on habitability issues for human beings in confined microgravity environments. This research is necessary to support sound industrial design strategies for comfort and functionality and, therefore, increased efficiency and better working conditions in outer-space habitation. The task of industrial design is therefore to design instruments, materials, and tools, including clothing, that facilitate human movement and the carrying out of the different activities required of space station inhabitants. In terms of living environments, the aesthetic requirements of the user/astronaut must be met while also ensuring conditions of habitability that are truly stimulating. These should not only reflect a sense of attractiveness but, even more important, be able to re-create artificially much of the Earth’s environmental stimuli (light, air, odors), which are not ordinarily present in confined microgravity environments. Such efforts are of course aimed at enhancing the psychological, social, and physiological well-being of the crew.
