Search Results

Documents authored by Cowley, Aidan

Document
DOI: 10.4230/OASIcs.SpaceCHI.2025.9
Design as an Astronaut: An XR/VR Experience of the Argonaut Habitat Unit

Authors: Valentina Sumini, Cody Paige, Tommy Nilsson, Joseph Paradiso, Marta Rossi, Leonie Bensch, Ardacan Özvanlıgil, Deniz Gemici, Dava Newman, Gui Trotti, Aidan Cowley, and Lionel Ferra

Published in: OASIcs, Volume 130, Advancing Human-Computer Interaction for Space Exploration (SpaceCHI 2025)

Abstract
This research explores the conceptual design of a lunar habitat integrated with the Argonaut lander, an autonomous lunar landing vehicle currently under development by an international consortium led by the European Space Agency (ESA). As Europe’s first lunar lander, Argonaut was conceived to provide ESA and relevant European stakeholders with independent access to the Moon. Although the lander is primarily designed to transport various types of cargo to the lunar surface, this study proposes its adaptation as a platform for future human habitation: the Argonaut Habitat Unit. The project is the result of an international collaboration between ESA, the MIT Media Lab, and Politecnico di Milano. Drawing on a wide range of methodological approaches, this paper reflects on key aspects of the concept, including its synergy with the existing Argonaut project, algorithmic modeling of a lunar habitat, consideration of technical requirements, and interior design development. The project addresses the spatial, material, and environmental constraints of lunar habitation through a combination of three-dimensional modeling software, computational design tools, and virtual reality (VR) development environments. The integration of VR offers an immersive understanding of the proposed habitat, enabling a first-hand experience of its spatial qualities. This approach supports both the evaluation and refinement of the design, enhancing its livability and practical feasibility.
Cite as

Valentina Sumini, Cody Paige, Tommy Nilsson, Joseph Paradiso, Marta Rossi, Leonie Bensch, Ardacan Özvanlıgil, Deniz Gemici, Dava Newman, Gui Trotti, Aidan Cowley, and Lionel Ferra. Design as an Astronaut: An XR/VR Experience of the Argonaut Habitat Unit. In Advancing Human-Computer Interaction for Space Exploration (SpaceCHI 2025). Open Access Series in Informatics (OASIcs), Volume 130, pp. 9:1-9:14, Schloss Dagstuhl – Leibniz-Zentrum für Informatik (2025)

Copy BibTex To Clipboard

@InProceedings{sumini_et_al:OASIcs.SpaceCHI.2025.9,
  author =	{Sumini, Valentina and Paige, Cody and Nilsson, Tommy and Paradiso, Joseph and Rossi, Marta and Bensch, Leonie and \"{O}zvanl{\i}gil, Ardacan and Gemici, Deniz and Newman, Dava and Trotti, Gui and Cowley, Aidan and Ferra, Lionel},
  title =	{{Design as an Astronaut: An XR/VR Experience of the Argonaut Habitat Unit}},
  booktitle =	{Advancing Human-Computer Interaction for Space Exploration (SpaceCHI 2025)},
  pages =	{9:1--9:14},
  series =	{Open Access Series in Informatics (OASIcs)},
  ISBN =	{978-3-95977-384-3},
  ISSN =	{2190-6807},
  year =	{2025},
  volume =	{130},
  editor =	{Bensch, Leonie and Nilsson, Tommy and Nisser, Martin and Pataranutaporn, Pat and Schmidt, Albrecht and Sumini, Valentina},
  publisher =	{Schloss Dagstuhl -- Leibniz-Zentrum f{\"u}r Informatik},
  address =	{Dagstuhl, Germany},
  URL =		{https://drops.dagstuhl.de/entities/document/10.4230/OASIcs.SpaceCHI.2025.9},
  URN =		{urn:nbn:de:0030-drops-239996},
  doi =		{10.4230/OASIcs.SpaceCHI.2025.9},
  annote =	{Keywords: Argonaut, Lunar Habitat, Virtual Reality, Extended Reality Computational Design}
}
Document
DOI: 10.4230/OASIcs.SpaceCHI.2025.14
Human Factors and Behavioral Performance Evaluation Framework for IntraVehicular Activities(IVAs) Under Simulated Lunar Gravity: Focus on the Lunar Agriculture Module (LAM)

Authors: Kyunghwan Kim, Daniel Schubert, Gisela Detrell, and Aidan Cowley

Published in: OASIcs, Volume 130, Advancing Human-Computer Interaction for Space Exploration (SpaceCHI 2025)

Abstract
The Planetary Infrastructure Research Group at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) is developing a Lunar Agriculture Module (LAM) to support sustainable food production and provide Bioregenerative Life Support System (BLSS) functions for long-duration lunar missions. Despite various ongoing research efforts on BLSS development and lunar surface human activities, a critical knowledge gap remains regarding how reduced gravity (0.16g) impacts human factors and behavioral performance (HFBP) during intravehicular activities (IVAs) in a lunar module. To fill the existing research gap, DLR is constructing the Lunar Agriculture Module - Reduced Gravity Simulator (LAM-RGS). The LAM-RGS integrates a Mixed Reality (MR) environment - combining Physical Reality (PR) mockups and Virtual Reality (VR) systems - with a gravity offloading system and multimodal data acquisition tools. This simulator will assess task performance, workload, and biomechanics under simulated lunar gravity conditions to optimize the internal system and rack design of the LAM, minimize ergonomic risks, and improve human-system interaction. To achieve these goals, this paper presents the experimental design and architecture of the LAM-RGS, introducing a four-pillar research framework consisting of: (1) simulator system development and experimental design, (2) system integration and validation, (3) human factors and performance assessment, and (4) data-driven design optimization. The proposed methodology provides a foundation for systematically evaluating human performance in lunar IVA operations and supports the evidence-based design of future lunar habitat systems.
Cite as

Kyunghwan Kim, Daniel Schubert, Gisela Detrell, and Aidan Cowley. Human Factors and Behavioral Performance Evaluation Framework for IntraVehicular Activities(IVAs) Under Simulated Lunar Gravity: Focus on the Lunar Agriculture Module (LAM). In Advancing Human-Computer Interaction for Space Exploration (SpaceCHI 2025). Open Access Series in Informatics (OASIcs), Volume 130, pp. 14:1-14:15, Schloss Dagstuhl – Leibniz-Zentrum für Informatik (2025)

Copy BibTex To Clipboard

@InProceedings{kim_et_al:OASIcs.SpaceCHI.2025.14,
  author =	{Kim, Kyunghwan and Schubert, Daniel and Detrell, Gisela and Cowley, Aidan},
  title =	{{Human Factors and Behavioral Performance Evaluation Framework for IntraVehicular Activities(IVAs) Under Simulated Lunar Gravity: Focus on the Lunar Agriculture Module (LAM)}},
  booktitle =	{Advancing Human-Computer Interaction for Space Exploration (SpaceCHI 2025)},
  pages =	{14:1--14:15},
  series =	{Open Access Series in Informatics (OASIcs)},
  ISBN =	{978-3-95977-384-3},
  ISSN =	{2190-6807},
  year =	{2025},
  volume =	{130},
  editor =	{Bensch, Leonie and Nilsson, Tommy and Nisser, Martin and Pataranutaporn, Pat and Schmidt, Albrecht and Sumini, Valentina},
  publisher =	{Schloss Dagstuhl -- Leibniz-Zentrum f{\"u}r Informatik},
  address =	{Dagstuhl, Germany},
  URL =		{https://drops.dagstuhl.de/entities/document/10.4230/OASIcs.SpaceCHI.2025.14},
  URN =		{urn:nbn:de:0030-drops-240044},
  doi =		{10.4230/OASIcs.SpaceCHI.2025.14},
  annote =	{Keywords: Bioregenerative Life Support Systems (BLSS), Human Factors and Behavioral Performance (HFBP) Evaluation, Human-In-The-Loop (HITL), Intravehicular Activity (IVA), Lunar Agriculture Module (LAM), Mixed Reality (MR), Module Design Optimization, Simulated Lunar Gravity}
}
Document
DOI: 10.4230/OASIcs.SpaceCHI.2025.17
MUSE: Designing Immersive Virtual Realities for Spaceflight UX Research

Authors: Noora Archer, Pasquale Castellano, and Aidan Cowley

Published in: OASIcs, Volume 130, Advancing Human-Computer Interaction for Space Exploration (SpaceCHI 2025)

Abstract
Virtual reality (VR) provides unique opportunities for assessing early spacecraft design and usability by employing human-centered narrative and scenario-driven design methods. This paper details a narrative-focused VR simulation of a speculative spaceflight scenario, emphasizing narrative techniques for enhancing user immersion and user testing in evaluating operational usability aspects inside a spacecraft capsule. We designed a Modular User-centric Spaceflight Experience (MUSE) including a spacecraft capsule design and virtual mission scenario based on the findings and suggestions in Human Inspirator Co-Engineering (HICE) study. Results from user testing with MUSE underline the effectiveness and opportunities of narrative scenarios in early UX- evaluations in improving experience flow, operational understanding and user engagement. At the same time there remains several questions in defining best methodology to measure users insight and action motivation born from narrative immersion with the VR- experience.
Cite as

Noora Archer, Pasquale Castellano, and Aidan Cowley. MUSE: Designing Immersive Virtual Realities for Spaceflight UX Research. In Advancing Human-Computer Interaction for Space Exploration (SpaceCHI 2025). Open Access Series in Informatics (OASIcs), Volume 130, pp. 17:1-17:13, Schloss Dagstuhl – Leibniz-Zentrum für Informatik (2025)

Copy BibTex To Clipboard

@InProceedings{archer_et_al:OASIcs.SpaceCHI.2025.17,
  author =	{Archer, Noora and Castellano, Pasquale and Cowley, Aidan},
  title =	{{MUSE: Designing Immersive Virtual Realities for Spaceflight UX Research}},
  booktitle =	{Advancing Human-Computer Interaction for Space Exploration (SpaceCHI 2025)},
  pages =	{17:1--17:13},
  series =	{Open Access Series in Informatics (OASIcs)},
  ISBN =	{978-3-95977-384-3},
  ISSN =	{2190-6807},
  year =	{2025},
  volume =	{130},
  editor =	{Bensch, Leonie and Nilsson, Tommy and Nisser, Martin and Pataranutaporn, Pat and Schmidt, Albrecht and Sumini, Valentina},
  publisher =	{Schloss Dagstuhl -- Leibniz-Zentrum f{\"u}r Informatik},
  address =	{Dagstuhl, Germany},
  URL =		{https://drops.dagstuhl.de/entities/document/10.4230/OASIcs.SpaceCHI.2025.17},
  URN =		{urn:nbn:de:0030-drops-240079},
  doi =		{10.4230/OASIcs.SpaceCHI.2025.17},
  annote =	{Keywords: Virtual Reality, Spaceflight Simulation, Narrative Design, Game Design, Scenario Design, Immersive Experience}
}
Questions / Remarks / Feedback
X

Feedback for Dagstuhl Publishing


Thanks for your feedback!

Feedback submitted

Could not send message

Please try again later or send an E-mail
© 2023-2025 Schloss Dagstuhl – LZI GmbH About DROPS Imprint Privacy Contact