Martian Delight: Exploring qualitative contact for decoupled communications

Exploring farther into our solar system for planetary exploration will require the human crews to reside in their space transfer habitats a long period of time. These explorers also face isolation, owing sheer physical distance from Earth, which may eventually affect health and well-being. Furthermore, looking at trip Mars, astronauts need wait as 40 min before receiving updated round communications due time it takes signal travel separation speed light. Thus, when comes long-duration crewed missions, communication feeling connection with loved ones—friends family—on Earth is crucial astronauts' In this context, exploring new approach spaceflight seems necessary missions Mars. This paper attempts introduce way decoupled that enables connect feelings towards ones on via embedded interactions, focusing idea “qualitative contact”. The qualitative contact was inspired by one previous studies concept interface” relation HCI (Human-Computer Interaction), then extended case study human-object interactions. Much how we construct meaning real world tends be rather than quantitative. Yet quantification has become default method displaying, presenting communicating information. paper, explore beyond ordinary information exchange during deep particular interplanetary spaceflight. We habitat can qualitatively missions. discuss design processes, includes human-centredness, barriers, ideation process, prototype development boundary-object based demonstration. believe or tool stimulate ideas designs today's technological solutions long-distance By advancing physiological psychological well-being, could venture expand civilisation deeper system. What are ways make feel connected family friends back missions? Here share through device call Martian Delight—a intended advance