Summary
When you hear the phrase “Space Industry,” you probably associate it with words like “futuristic” and “cutting edge.” That’s certainly the case for private space companies, but not within the Department of Defense. Until recently, our nation’s satellites have been operated by applications with inconsistent 1990s interfaces, and DoD operators have suffered because of it. But thanks to an Enterprise UX Design Company (coincidentally named “Rocket Communications”), that’s all changing. This is the incredible story of how the first UX Design System for Space Applications came to be, and what it– and Rocket– has done to transform the DoD Space Enterprise.
Key Insights
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The military's reliance on satellites is critical for modern life and national security.
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Space has become increasingly congested with satellites and debris, necessitating careful management and tracking.
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Many current space applications suffer from outdated user interfaces and inefficiencies due to poorly designed software systems.
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The military often operates in silos, leading to fragmented systems with little to no communication between different design teams.
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A focus on user experience is essential to create effective tools for military operators, who deal with highly technical and critical tasks.
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Successful design implementation requires not just technical expertise but understanding the military culture and hierarchy.
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Education and communication are crucial to gaining buy-in for new design systems within military operations.
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Prototyping applications can significantly help stakeholders visualize and support new UX initiatives.
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Civilians and non-traditional partners can provide fresh perspectives that are beneficial to military system design.
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Collaboration and gaining the support of high-ranking officials can accelerate project acceptance and implementation.
Notable Quotes
"We are here to talk about military space, not NASA space."
"Our modern way of life is actually really dependent on satellites."
"The military also depends on satellites for their day-to-day operations."
"Space force is protecting our modern way of life."
"Something may not be aware of is how congested space is."
"These applications were actually designed by engineers for engineers."
"The risk of them making errors is pretty scary too."
"Our government actually now considers us to be fighting a war that has extended into space."
"General Heighton actually had been working on the same problem himself."
"It became a mandate for companies to use Astro."
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