Blue Origin Capsule Experience Concept
Supporting the Journey Into Space

About the Project

This project reimagined the human experience aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard capsule, crafting transformative touchpoints that elevate every phase of the journey—from the anticipation of launch, through the awe-inspiring ascent to apogee, and into the reflective return to Earth. The design celebrates human presence in space, prioritizing emotional resonance, well-being, and wonder at every step.

 

Related Services
Interaction Design
Visual Interface Design

Role
Interaction Design Direction
Client Relationship Lead

 
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Space Capsule Interior Design

Various design elements were thoughtfully crafted to make the journey into space truly memorable. To accommodate the unique challenges of weightlessness, intuitive affordances were integrated to guide and support capsule occupants throughout the flight. Additionally, a dynamic overhead LED array was implemented to keep users informed of the flight’s stage, from launch to re-entry. The variety also served a practical function, signaling key moments such as the countdown sequence and helping passengers return to their seats in preparation for the journey back to Earth, ensuring a seamless and engaging experience throughout the entire mission.

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A Confidence-Inspiring View

As astronauts launch into space, their attention will focus on the window. This experience will likely be the most intimidating and uncertain part of the journey, and we wanted to give astronauts a sense of context and control. Geographic notations on the window indicate moments of altitude, such as the height at which airplanes fly or the height a weather balloon will reach. As the capsule launches into space, the lighting will move slowly up the window until it gets a ring of light surrounding the capsule, the Karman Line. When this line illuminates, astronauts know they have crossed into zero gravity.

Instructive Lighting

When it’s time for the selected astronaut to deploy the parachute, the window light will fade to orange. Mission Control will give the astronaut the go-ahead through their headset to push the parachute button in the handrest. Serving as a consistent indication of spacecraft status, an LED representation for each parachute will appear on the ceiling to indicate successful deployment. Should one parachute fail to deploy, its representative light will not illuminate, allowing astronauts to prepare for a more forceful landing, in addition to global communication from Mission Control. 

 
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Handling Zero Gravity

Dimmed lighting places focus on natural light and the view through the window. Primary handles on each side of the window let astronauts take in the view while anchoring their feet on a textured ring at the top of the console. Astronauts move around the capsule using additional handles placed along the outer ring on the ceiling. Small still cameras are at the top and bottom of each window, one facing toward the astronaut and the other through the window. A ‘capture’ button on the outside of each window handle allows each astronaut to easily and seamlessly capture photos. 

In the Footsteps of Greatness

By including thoughtful details, such as an homage to Neil Armstrong’s footprints in the astronaut’s footrest, the pioneers of the past and the path they have forged for this new generation of explorers are acknowledged. These surfaces provide a welcome anchor point for the astronauts, both physically and metaphorically, as they experience the weightlessness of zero-gravity conditions.

Blue Origin Capsule Experience Gallery