Welcome to MissionControl!
The mobile app that connects space enthusiasts, amateur astronomers, and science lovers through
a central hub for space-related news, events, discussions, and collaboration.
Key Features Include:
Splash Screen, Onboarding, Home Feed, User Profiles, Community Pages, Discussion Boards, Events Calendar, Chat/Messaging,
Content Upload, Search and Explore, Settings and Notifications,
The Product
MissionControl is a social app for space enthusiasts to connect, share, and explore the cosmos together. Track celestial events, join space-focused clubs, post your discoveries, and geek out with a community that's always looking up.
Project Duration
10 days
The Problem
Space enthusiasts often struggle to find a dedicated, interactive community where they can share discoveries, track celestial events, and connect with others who share their passion. Existing platforms are too general or fragmented, leaving a gap for a space-focused social experience.
The Goal
Design a user-friendly mobile app that brings space enthusiasts together through personalized content, real-time event tracking, and community interaction—creating a dedicated social hub for sharing, learning, and celebrating the wonders of space.
My Role
UX Designer and UX Researcher
Responsibilities
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User Research
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Wireframing
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Prototyping
User Research Summary
To better understand the needs of space enthusiasts, I conducted user interviews and online surveys with hobbyist astronomers, space fans, and science communicators. Key findings revealed that users crave a sense of community, want easier access to accurate event information (like rocket launches and meteor showers), and are eager to share their own photos, insights, and observations. These insights informed the design direction of MissionControl’s app.
User Research Pain Points
Fragmented Expereince
Currently, users rely on a variety of platforms to track events and connect with others, there is no centralized hub for these experiences.
Missing Events
Due to poor notifications and unclear timing information, users frequently miss space events.
Lack of Community
Space enthusiasts often feel out of place and like their content gets “lost in the noise” of mainstream social media. They struggle to find a community of like-minded individuals.
Overly Technical
Beginners feel overwhelmed by data-heavy tools that aren’t approachable or easy to use.
Persona: Emily
Problem Statement
Emily is a passionate science teacher and amateur astrophotographer who struggles to find a single, dedicated platform where she can track space events, share her photos, and connect with other space enthusiasts.
Goals
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Stay updated on rocket launches and celestial events.
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Share astrophotography with people who appreciate it.
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Connect with others who geek out about space.
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Inspire students with current space news and visuals.
Frustrations
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Tired of jumping between 4–5 apps to track events and post content.
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Her space posts feel “ignored” on mainstream platforms.
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Hard to find others who share her love of lunar geography and NASA missions.
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Most space news apps are too technical or not community-focused
Emily Benson
Age: 29
Education: Masters
Hometown: Flagstaff, AZ
Occupation: Science Teacher
“I just want one place where I can follow launches, post my moon pics, and chat with people who actually get why I’m excited.”
Digital Wireframes
At the start of the design phase, I worked to make sure that the community aspect of the app was front and center. I focused on an easy to use messaging and navigation system.
Usability Study Findings
Round 1
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Users appreciated the themed onboarding.
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Event discovery needs a better flow.
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Clubs could be more prominent on the page.
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Users enjoyed the personalization aspect.
Round 2
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Event visibility improved significantly with it’s own tab and dedicated section.
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Some users don’t notice who else is attending the events.
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Overall app feels more purposeful.
Mockups
What I Learned
Designing for niche communities requires clarity
Space enthusiasts deserved a space that respected and welcomed them. I needed to immerse myself in their world to design with intention.
Navigation must prioritize discovery
Keeping key features of the app consistent in navigation was important for improved user flow and satisfaction.
Theming adds emotional value but must be balanced
A space themed interface boosted immersion but I learned that visuals need to enhance usability, not distract from it.
Next Steps
I learned a lot throughout this design process, if I were to continue to build upon this project I would do the following:
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Add an events section to the home page
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Add a feature to see what mutual followers are attending events.
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Add more in-depth posting prompts to encourage more user engagement.