Project Type
Strategic Design
(School project)
Role
Strategic Designer
Team
1st half: 15 students in 1 team
2nd half: 4 teams with 3 – 5 members
Duration
15 weeks
(Jan 2023 – May 2023)
00
Design Prompt
“The International Space Station (ISS) houses a National Laboratory. Did you know that? Not surprisingly, many don’t. How do we raise awareness of the important work that National Laboratory does, how do we rebrand it and what might be the implications for the NL after ISS is deorbited?”
01
Research
Desktop Research
This research phase involved an extensive desktop study on NASA, National Labs (NL), and the International Space Station (ISS). The objective was to thoroughly comprehend their missions, histories, achievements, and future plans. This exploration served as a critical foundation for understanding the space exploration sector, informing the direction of subsequent project stages.
Expert Interview
For a deeper grasp of the context, we conducted interviews with two industry specialists currently employed at NASA. The insights gleaned from these discussions revealed that the forthcoming decommissioning of the ISS in 2030 will likely expedite the privatization of Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Consequently, this development could escalate the level of uncertainty associated with future space exploration initiatives.
02
Problem Framing
Historical Approach
Based on Karl Polanyi’s concept of Embeddedness*, an economic anthropologist, we have attempted to take an approach to envision what the future should look like, taking into account the transformation of society from the past to the present.
Through this approach, we’ve come to believe that the best kind of society is one where there’s a “balance”. Neither the group nor the individual should be more important than the other. Instead, they should work together in harmony.
Components to be balanced
Influenced by Professor Terry Irwin’s “Holarchy in the Natural World“, we outlined key elements, from individuals to larger space including LEO, that need to be balanced.
We assumed that this would be achieved by thoughtfully designing the distribution of material, capital, and knowledge.
Reshaped the National Lab's role
Based on the previous discussions, we have redefined the role that the NL should play in the future. The mission is to achieve Flourishing Existence by adding the element of balancing to the existing innovation efforts.
“How might we achieve Flourishing Existence by fully demonstrating the NL’s resources?”
03
Ideation
Transportation as a gear
We focused on the possibility of transportation as a means to achieve Flourishing Existence. This is an essential element in space development. We devised a platform by which resources can be allocated to what matters most through the NL.
Scope of Transportation
Previously, the focus of transportation in space development was only on the route from the launch site to space. Our platform, on the other hand, is designed to centrally manage and streamline all routes from pre-launch ground transportation to post-launch return to the ground.
04
Prototype
Users (shippers and passengers) search by entering necessary information such as destination, date, and weight of the cargo, etc. Transportation between space stations and routes from space to the ground can also be selected.
Based on the given information, the algorithm suggests the optimal spacecraft. In addition to the price, the amount of CO2 reduction is also displayed, allowing the user to select the most “space-friendly” option.
After selecting a spacecraft, the system also suggests the best route to get to the launch site. Users can choose the most sustainable and cost-effective way.
Once ground transportation is selected, the last step is to choose any additional requirements, such as insurance or special equipment. Then, a platform fee of about 15% will be charged, which will flow to the NL, who manages the platform.
This way, the NL is able to raise significant funds while providing the best transportation option for Space, Planet, Society, Community, and Individual.
05
Final Deliverable
Finally, the class as a whole proposed four prototypes, including transportation.