Behind the Wings ®
The Podcast – S7, Episode 68
Human factors engineer Cynthia Hudy shares what it takes to design a spacecraft around the crew living inside it.
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In this episode, we explore Human Factors Engineer Cynthia Hudy’s role designing the systems inside Orion. From displays and controls to life support, radiation protection, and the everyday realities of living in deep space, each element is critical for mission success. We also discuss how astronaut feedback and testing are shaping Artemis II, the first Orion expedition to carry crew beyond low-Earth orbit since Apollo 17. This one is going to be cool!
Key Takeaways:
- The Orion spacecraft is designed to be a deep-space home. Every system inside the capsule is engineered so four astronauts can live, work, sleep, eat, and exercise in a confined space.
- “Human-in-the-loop” trials led to real design changes, from how doors open in microgravity to how astronauts move and access critical systems.
- The module includes radiation shielding using stowage lockers, medical response planning, and layouts tested for worst-case scenarios.
- What Orion demonstrates about comfort, safety, autonomy, and crew well-being will shape Artemis III and long-duration human exploration.
- The technology developed directly feeds back to Earth. Advances in human-centered design, 3D printing, augmented reality, telemedicine, and materials all have real-world applications.
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