Yes, astronauts user Velcro in space

In space, everything floats. Pens, food, tools anything not tied down can drift away. That’s why astronauts rely on a small but powerful solution: Velcro. It helps them keep things in place, stay organized, and work safely in zero gravity.

This may sound like just a smart trick, but it’s actually a great lesson in UX (user experience) design. Velcro works because it’s simple, practical, and made for real people dealing with real challenges. In the same way, the best digital experiences are not the flashiest—they’re the ones that make people’s lives easier.

Let’s look at how Velcro in space can teach us how to design better digital products.

Design for Real Problems

Velcro wasn’t created to look cool. It was made to solve a very real problem: things floating around in space. Astronauts needed something easy to use, lightweight, and reliable. Velcro fit the job perfectly.

As UX designers, our job is the same solve real problems. Too often, teams focus on features or designs that seem exciting but don’t really help the user. Good design starts with understanding the situation. Ask: What’s bothering the user? What do they need right now?

When your product or app is built around actual user needs, people notice. It feels natural. Helpful. Like Velcro.

Simple Is Powerful

Velcro is made from two simple parts: one side with tiny hooks, the other with soft loops. Press them together, and they stick. That’s it.

UX should aim for this kind of simplicity too. A good interface doesn’t overwhelm. It guides the user clearly. It removes confusion. It lets the user focus on what they came to do whether that’s ordering food, signing up for a course, or editing a document.

Simple design doesn’t mean boring. It means easy to use, with fewer steps and smarter decisions. The simpler the product, the better the experience.

Build for Specific Environments

Velcro works so well in space because it was designed for that exact setting microgravity. In normal life, we use shelves or drawers to keep things in place. In space, that doesn’t work. So astronauts needed a different solution.

In UX design, context matters. Where will your product be used? On a mobile phone, in a noisy place, during a rush, or by someone with limited tech skills?

Design with these conditions in mind. Just like Velcro was made for space, your product should fit the user’s world. That’s how you create experiences that feel thoughtful and personal.

Don’t Overcomplicate It

Imagine if NASA had tried to solve the tool-floating problem with some complex robotic system. It would have taken longer, cost more, and likely been harder to use. Instead, they picked Velcro a cheap, fast, and effective fix.

In UX, we sometimes fall into the trap of making things too complex. More options. More features. More steps. But users often just want something that works.

The best UX is often invisible it just helps the user get what they need, without drama.

Be Consistent

Astronauts use Velcro everywhere in their suits, on the walls of the spacecraft, even on their food trays. That consistency helps them stay organized. They know where to look and how things work.

The same rule applies in digital design. Consistent navigation, button styles, and labels make the user feel confident. They don’t need to relearn things on every page.

Small Fixes Can Make a Big Difference

Velcro might seem small, but its impact in space is huge. It saves time, prevents accidents, and makes life easier for astronauts.

In UX, it’s often the small details that make or break an experience. A helpful error message. A faster loading screen. A progress bar that reassures the user they’re not stuck.

Work as a Team

Velcro’s success in space came from collaboration between engineers, astronauts, and mission planners. Everyone shared their knowledge and needs to make the solution work.

Great UX design works the same way. Researchers, designers, developers, and product teams should work together. Talk to customer support. Observe user behavior. Brainstorm as a group.

Learning from the ISS

The next time you look at a photo of the International Space Station, don’t just admire its technological achievements—study its processes. Think about how a clear purpose, strategic foresight, and the pursuit of simple solutions made it possible.

For product leaders, the ISS offers valuable insights:

• Start Small: Tackle foundational challenges and gather insights to refine your solutions over time. Build iteratively, not all at once.
• Plan Ahead: Balance solving current needs with anticipating future demands. Strategic foresight ensures longevity and adaptability.
• Simplify Wherever Possible: Complex problems often have elegant solutions. Simplicity isn’t a compromise—it’s a competitive advantage.

NASA’s reliance on something as modest as Velcro and magnets is a brilliant reminder that even the grandest enterprises rest on actionable, accessible solutions. By adopting this mindset in your work, you open the door to creating products and businesses that not only solve problems but thrive in challenging environments.

Velcro. Magnets. Microgravity. The ISS. Simple yet effective. Are you ready to apply the same principles to your next big project? Contact us for innovative ideas for your business