NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

Relevant Technical 

Requirements

Cabin Architecture

OCHMO-TB-025

Rev C

NASA-STD-3001 Volume 1, Rev C

[V1 3004] In-Mission Medical Care

NASA-STD-3001 Volume 2, Rev D

[V2 7021] Body Waste Management System 

Location

[V2 7038] Physiological Countermeasures 

Capability

[V2 7050] Stowage Provisions

[V2 7051] Personal Stowage

[V2 7052] Stowage Location

[V2 7053] Stowage Interference

[V2 7054] Stowage Restraints

[V2 7055] Priority of Stowage Accessibility

[V2 7056] Stowage Operation without Tools

[V2 7057] Stowage Access while Suited

[V2 7058] Identification System

[V2 7064] Trash Accommodation

[V2 7065] Trash Volume Allocation

[V2 7066] Trash Stowage Interference

[V2 7069] Labeling of Hazardous Waste

[V2 7070] Sleep Accommodation

[V2 8001] Volume Allocation

[V2 8005] Functional Arrangement

[V2 8006] Interference

[V2 8007] Spatial and Interface Orientation

[V2 8010] Location Identifiers

[V2 8011] Location Aids

[V2 8013] Intravehicular Translation Paths

[V2 8014] Escape Translation Paths

[V2 8020] Crew Ingress/Egress Translation 

Path - Ground

[V2 11005] EVA Translation Path Hazard 

Avoidance

Executive Summary

A cabin space intended for human use must 

keep the occupant(s) alive, support all the 

physical systems and cargo that a mission 

requires, and accommodate the activities the 

crew must perform. These necessities must be 

balanced against volume and mass limits 

imposed by the capabilities of the vehicle 

itself. Technical requirements in NASA-STD3001 Volume 2 aim to ensure the crew cabin 

contains all necessary features to maximize 

crew efficiency, human performance, and 

mission success.
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-025

Cabin Architecture

NASA Office of the Chief Health & Medical Officer (OCHMO)

This Technical Brief is derived from NASA-STD-3001 and is for reference only.

It does not supersede or waive existing Agency, Program, or Contract requirements.

Background

11/29/2023

Rev C 2

Risks

If a crew cabin space is inadequately designed, laid out, or furnished, the crew will either have 

difficulty performing tasks or will be unable to perform them at all. Additionally, crew discomfort can 

cause and aggravate reduced effectiveness. In extreme cases, improper design can endanger the 

crew or cause damage to the vehicle. For example, if an emergency egress path is blocked by storage 

containers, the crew would have difficulty escaping the vehicle.

International Space Station (ISS) crew 

complaints about inconvenient stowage 

system

“...Stowage is one area that deserves some 

attention, because ground doesn’t really 

understand the problems of gathering 

equipment from multiple locations and tying it 

down for use at a work site. Walls are already 

cluttered, and it’s hard to organize a location 

nearby. Most items are buried deep in bags, 

sometimes three or four deep. Inside a locker, 

there is a CTB, inside of which is a kit, which 

has a Ziploc with a tool inside. This can really 

add to the cost of doing business...” 

The Mercury capsule was cramped

The capsule contained all essential 

systems for flight, communications, and 

keeping the crewmember alive. With 

regards to volume accommodations for 

crew activities, there was enough room 

for an astronaut to sit and operate the 

command console, but little else. The 

crew space had only 2.8 cubic meters 

of habitable volume, the smallest of 

any American crewed space vehicle.

The Leonardo Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM), installed in 

March 2011, is used for storage on the ISS.
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-025

Cabin Architecture

NASA Office of the Chief Health & Medical Officer (OCHMO)

This Technical Brief is derived from NASA-STD-3001 and is for reference only.

It does not supersede or waive existing Agency, Program, or Contract requirements.

Reference Data

3

Stowage

The system must provide space to store everything the crew and 

mission needs. Items must be stored in a dedicated, accessible 

location that does not interfere with other crew tasks.

Trash

The system must have a trash management system to deal with 

waste produced during the mission. Special care must be taken to 

ensure containment of trash and its odor.

Body Waste & Hygiene

The system must provide space for crewmembers to perform 

hygiene tasks and means to safely dispose of body waste.

Crew Task Volume

Any crewed vehicle must have enough physical space for a specified 

number of crew to perform all necessary tasks for the duration of 

the mission.

Spatial Configuration

The spatial configuration of the cabin must facilitate crew operations 

in a logical manner.

Spatial Orientation

In a microgravity environment, the crew lacks a common “up-anddown.” The system must establish a consistent orientation of 

interfaces and spaces.

Translation Paths

The system must facilitate the easy and safe movement of crew and 

equipment through, in, and out of the vehicle.

One of two crew quarters 

located in the Zvezda

module

Eating dinner on Skylab I

(1973)

Eating dinner on the ISS

(2015)

11/29/2023

Rev C
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-025

Cabin Architecture

NASA Office of the Chief Health & Medical Officer (OCHMO)

This Technical Brief is derived from NASA-STD-3001 and is for reference only.

It does not supersede or waive existing Agency, Program, or Contract requirements.

Application

4

The crux of the challenge when designing a crewed cabin space is 

striking the balance between everything that the crew and mission 

needs, and the volume and mass limits dictated by the capabilities of 

the vehicle. The crew cannot get all the comforts or space they want, 

but engineers cannot simply design a ‘windowless box’ with no 

regard to crew needs.

Things to consider:

What systems does the vehicle require (power, thermal, ECLSS, etc.)

• Each of these systems take up mass and volume

• They must not interfere with other cabin elements

• They must be accessible for maintenance

Consumables (food, water, air, etc.)1,2

• Longer missions require more consumables

• Food must be stored separately and hygienically

Cargo (tools, clothes, EVA suits, etc.)

• Different missions will require different cargo, which will need to 

be stored and accessible

Crew (number, size, age, etc.)

• More crew will require more resources

• Crew of differing size, age, etc. will use more or less resources

Crew tasks and activities (eating, sleeping donning/doffing suits, etc.)

• Every task requires a certain amount of space

• Certain tasks should be in separate spaces (e.g., eating/waste 

management and hygiene)

Mission parameters (duration, destination, etc.)3

• Longer and farther missions will require more resources

ISS Astronaut using Advanced 

Resistive Exercise Device (ARED)

Skylab sleep chamber (1973) ISS sleep chamber (2012)

11/29/2023

Rev C

1.OCHMO-TB-013 Food and Nutrition 

Technical Brief

2.OCHMO-TB-027 Water Technical Brief

3.OCHMO-TB-007 Mission Duration 

Technical Brief
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-025

Cabin Architecture

NASA Office of the Chief Health & Medical Officer (OCHMO)

This Technical Brief is derived from NASA-STD-3001 and is for reference only.

It does not supersede or waive existing Agency, Program, or Contract requirements.

Application

5

Relevant Technical Requirements from NASA-STD-3001 

[V1 3004] In-Mission Medical Care; [V2 7050] Stowage Provisions; [V2 7051] Personal Stowage; [V2 7052] 

Stowage Location; [V2 7053] Stowage Interference; [V2 7054] Stowage Restraints; [V2 7055] Priority of 

Stowage Accessibility; [V2 7056] Stowage Operation without Tools; [V2 7057] Stowage Access while 

Suited; [V2 7058] Identification System

Factors to consider for storage include:

• Volume of relocatable items

• Type of items that will be stowed and where they 

should be stored. Examples are:

 Personal items – clothing, personal hygiene items, 

personal items

 Workstation – Writing equipment, camera 

equipment, emergency equipment

 Consumable hygiene – tissues, soap, wipes

 Galley – Food and food prep, utensils, wipes, 

housekeeping supplies

 Recreation – Games, reading materials, audiovisual equipment

 Meeting areas – Writing materials, presentation 

aids

Restraints holding storage containers

ISS food storage boxes with restraints

• Medical treatment area – medical equipment, 

pharmaceuticals, dispensary supplies1,2

• Exercise facility – exercise equipment

• Body waste management system – wipes, 

urine collection devices3

• Trash management system – wet and dry trash 

receptacles, trash bags

• The gravity environment resupply and return over the 

vehicle or habitat life cycle

• Flexibility for different potential scenarios

• The potential usage of nonstandard storage locations

• The balance between centralized and distributed 

systems

• Operability

• Accessibility

• Interference 

• Labeling

• Compliance with the overall inventory management 

system

11/29/2023

Rev C

1. OCHMO-TB-033 Medical Care Technical Brief

2. OCHMO-TB-006 Pharmaceutical Technical Brief

3. OCHMO-TB-042 Waste Management Technical Brief
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-025

Cabin Architecture

NASA Office of the Chief Health & Medical Officer (OCHMO)

This Technical Brief is derived from NASA-STD-3001 and is for reference only.

It does not supersede or waive existing Agency, Program, or Contract requirements.

Application

6

Relevant Technical Requirements from NASA-STD-3001 

[V2 8007] Spatial and Interface Orientation; [V2 8010] Location Identifiers; [V2 8011] Location Aids

Proper orientation defining is 

important where there is no 

natural “down” from gravity.

Location aids with a defined 

coding system support 

navigation between vehicle 

modules. This includes 

designing the system with 

navigation in mind, such that 

the location of modules and 

stations does not contribute to 

confusion.

ISS Zvezda Module. Note how the color switches from dark to light to 

signify down and up, respectively (mimicking grass and sky), and how 

the computers, lighting, etc. support the design.

ISS sleeping stations external orientations

It may be the case that individual stations such as laboratories or sleeping stations are placed along the 

designated floor and ceiling. In this case, they should also conform to a frame of reference, though the 

frame may be separate from that of the vehicle at large.

ISS sleeping station internal orientation

11/29/2023

Rev C
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-025

Cabin Architecture

NASA Office of the Chief Health & Medical Officer (OCHMO)

This Technical Brief is derived from NASA-STD-3001 and is for reference only.

It does not supersede or waive existing Agency, Program, or Contract requirements.

Application

7

Relevant Technical Requirements from NASA-STD-3001 

[V2 7021] Body Waste Management System Location; [V2 7064] Trash Accommodation; [V2 7065] Trash 

Volume Allocation; [V2 7066] Trash Stowage Interference

Designing and designating locations for 

the body waste management system 

and trash has separate considerations 

than most stowage. These include the 

psychological effects of grooming and 

bathing, privacy, odor control, personal 

hygiene items, and cleaning capability. 

Body waste system may be connected 

to the water system for reclamation. 

Having several trash system receptacles 

throughout the vehicle will increase 

ease of access, but may require 

additional planning for stowage 

locations. Trash might either be stowed 

for the duration of the mission or 

ejected.

Trash being ejected from the ISS

Trash may contain water and desirable 

gases that need to be recovered to 

minimize the need for mid-mission 

resupplies and storage capabilities.

One potential method for efficient 

storage of trash is to melt and compact 

it. This could be useful for longduration and surface missions where 

ejecting trash is not a feasible option. 

For maximum efficiency, this would 

want to be mixed with a process for 

reclaiming desirable gases and water 

Trash melted into a tile using a heat melt compactor from the trash.

11/29/2023

Rev C
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-025

Cabin Architecture

NASA Office of the Chief Health & Medical Officer (OCHMO)

This Technical Brief is derived from NASA-STD-3001 and is for reference only.

It does not supersede or waive existing Agency, Program, or Contract requirements.

Application

8

Relevant Technical Requirement from NASA-STD-3001

[V2 7069] Labeling of Hazardous Waste

Waste 

Category

Hazardous Waste Definitions Hazardous Waste Considerations

Batteries All types of batteries (e.g., Ni-Cad, Alkaline). Damaged batteries may be 

dangerous if the terminals are not 

taped/isolated.

Biological/ 

Biomedical

Any solid or liquid that may present a threat 

of infection to humans, including non-liquid 

tissue, body parts, blood, blood products, 

body fluids, and laboratory wastes that 

contain human disease-causing agents. Also

to include used absorbent material saturated 

with blood, blood products, body fluids, 

excretions, or secretions contaminated with 

visible blood or blood products that have 

dried.

Contained within a bag and a 

secondary container.

Sharps Payload- and crew-generated needles, 

syringes, or any intact or broken objects that 

are capable of puncturing, lacerating, or 

otherwise penetrating the skin (e.g., glass, 

scalpels, hard broken plastic, syringes, etc.).

Store within sealable containers that 

will not puncture or leak.

Chemical 

Hazard

Any waste in solid, liquid, or semi-solid form 

that is contaminated with a chemical 

substance that requires special handling 

during disposal.

Chemicals are to be individually 

contained and separated based on 

their properties.

Radioactive Solid, liquid, or gaseous materials that are 

radioactive or become radioactive and for 

which there is no further use.

The Kennedy Space Center Radiation 

Protection Officer and Johnson Space 

Center Radiation Health Office 

provide requirements based on 

radioactivity.

11/29/2023

Rev C
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-025

Cabin Architecture

NASA Office of the Chief Health & Medical Officer (OCHMO)

This Technical Brief is derived from NASA-STD-3001 and is for reference only.

It does not supersede or waive existing Agency, Program, or Contract requirements.

Application

9

Relevant Technical Requirements from NASA-STD-3001

[V2 7038] Physiological Countermeasures Capability; [V2 8001] Volume Allocation; [V2 7070] Sleep 

Accommodation; [V2 8005] Functional Arrangement; [V2 8006] Interference; [V2 8013] Intravehicular 

Translation Paths; [V2 8014] Escape Translation Paths; [V2 8020] Crew Ingress/Egress Translation Path –

Ground; [V2 11005] EVA Translation Path Hazard Avoidance

Stowage arrangements need to coincide with other 

architectural factors such as translation paths and mission 

tasks. As part of this, preplanning in system architecture 

with dedicated stowage volumes are necessary.

Appropriate system architecture can largely be 

determined through task analysis and previous 

experience. Task analysis looks at human anthropometry 

for all potentially necessary ranges of motion including 

factors such as suits, objects to carry, and tool usage. This 

method has limitations in that not all mission tasks or 

activities may be known at the beginning of 

development. It may instead require activities that are 

certain to take place, such as sleeping , eating, hygiene, 

system control, and extra-vehicular activity to derive a set 

of volume drivers that can estimate overall system 

volume and architecture. The experience-based method 

takes previous missions and derives necessary volume 

based on the number of crewmembers. This method 

does not account for different mission tasks like the task 

analysis method does and has limited information for 

extended surface missions.

Optimal translation path with minimal 

rack front stowage from the ISS US Lab.

Sub-optimal stowage from the ISS Airlock 

Module.

Cabin design to avoid blocking translation paths

11/29/2023

Rev C
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-025

Cabin Architecture

NASA Office of the Chief Health & Medical Officer (OCHMO)

This Technical Brief is derived from NASA-STD-3001 and is for reference only.

It does not supersede or waive existing Agency, Program, or Contract requirements.

Back-Up

10 11/29/2023

Rev C
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-025

Cabin Architecture

NASA Office of the Chief Health & Medical Officer (OCHMO)

This Technical Brief is derived from NASA-STD-3001 and is for reference only.

It does not supersede or waive existing Agency, Program, or Contract requirements.

Rev B  Rev C

• Updated information to reflect the revisions to language 

throughout both volumes of NASA-STD-3001.

• Updated/added website links due to new NASA website 

launch

Rev A  Rev B

• Added additional information and application notes on 

specific technical requirements.

Original  Rev A

• Updated information to be consistent with NASA-STD-3001 

Volume 1 Rev B and Volume 2 Rev C.

Major Changes Between Revisions

11 11/29/2023

Rev C
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-025

Cabin Architecture

NASA Office of the Chief Health & Medical Officer (OCHMO)

This Technical Brief is derived from NASA-STD-3001 and is for reference only.

It does not supersede or waive existing Agency, Program, or Contract requirements.

NASA-STD-3001 Volume 1 Revision C

[V1 3004] In-Mission Medical Care All programs shall provide training, in-mission medical capabilities, and 

resources to diagnose and treat potential medical conditions based on epidemiological evidence-based 

PRA, individual crewmember needs, clinical practice guidelines, flight surgeon expertise, historical review, 

mission parameters, and vehicle-derived limitations. These analyses consider the needs and limitations of 

each specific vehicle and design reference mission (DRM) with particular attention to parameters such as 

mission duration, expected return time to Earth, mission route and destination, expected radiation profile, 

concept of operations, and more. In-mission capabilities (including hardware and software), resources 

(including consumables), and training to enable in-mission medical care, and behavioral care, are to include, 

but are not limited to: (see NASA-STD-3001, Volume 1 Rev C for full technical requirement).

NASA-STD-3001 Volume 2 Revision D

[V2 7021] Body Waste Management System Location The body waste management system shall be 

isolated from the food preparation and consumption areas for aesthetic and hygienic purposes. 

[V2 7038] Physiological Countermeasures Capability The system shall provide countermeasures to meet 

crew bone, muscle, sensorimotor, thermoregulation, and aerobic/cardiovascular requirements defined in 

NASA-STD-3001, Volume 1.

[V2 7050] Stowage Provisions The system shall provide for the stowage of hardware and supplies, to 

include location, restraint, and protection for these items. 

[V2 7051] Personal Stowage The system shall provide a stowage location for personal items and clothing.

[V2 7052] Stowage Location All relocatable items, e.g., food, EVA suits, and spare parts, shall have a 

dedicated stowage location. 

[V2 7053] Stowage Interference The system shall provide defined stowage locations that do not interfere 

with crew operations. 

[V2 7054] Stowage Restraints The system shall provide the capability to restrain hardware, supplies, and 

crew personal items that are removed or deployed for use as defined by crew task analysis.

[V2 7055] Priority of Stowage Accessibility Stowage items shall be accessible in accordance with their use, 

with the easiest accessibility for mission-critical and most frequently used items. 

[V2 7056] Stowage Operation without Tools Stowage containers and restraints shall be operable without 

the use of tools. 

[V2 7057] Stowage Access while Suited The stowage system shall be accessible by a suited crewmember.

[V2 7058] Identification System The stowage identification system shall be compatible with the inventory 

management system.

[V2 7064] Trash Accommodation The system shall provide a trash management system to contain, mitigate 

odors, prevent release, and dispose of all expected trash.

Referenced Technical Requirements

12 11/29/2023

Rev C

View the current versions of NASA-STD3001 Volume 1 & Volume 2 on the 

OCHMO Standards website
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-025

Cabin Architecture

NASA Office of the Chief Health & Medical Officer (OCHMO)

This Technical Brief is derived from NASA-STD-3001 and is for reference only.

It does not supersede or waive existing Agency, Program, or Contract requirements.

NASA-STD-3001 Volume 2 Revision D

[V2 7065] Trash Volume Allocation Trash stowage volumes shall be allocated for each mission. 

[V2 7066] Trash Stowage Interference The system shall provide defined trash stowage that does not 

interfere with crew operations.

[V2 7069] Labeling of Hazardous Waste The hazard response level (HRL) of all liquids, particles, gases, and 

gels shall be labeled on the outermost containment barrier in location(s) visible to crew. 

[V2 7070] Sleep Accommodation The system shall provide volume, restraint, accommodations, 

environmental control (e.g., vibration, lighting, noise, and temperature), and degree of privacy for sleep for 

each crewmember, to support overall crew health and performance. 

[V2 8001] Volume Allocation The system shall provide the defined habitable volume and layout to 

physically accommodate crew operations and living. 

[V2 8005] Functional Arrangement Habitability functions shall be located based on the use of common 

equipment, interferences, and the sequence and compatibility of operations. 

[V2 8006] Interference The system shall separate functional areas whose functions would detrimentally 

interfere with each other. 

[V2 8007] Spatial and Interface Orientation The system shall have consistent spatial and interface 

orientations relative to a defined vertical orientation. 

[V2 8010] Location Identifiers A standard location coding system shall be provided to uniquely identify 

each predefined location within the system. 

[V2 8011] Location Aids The system shall provide aids to assist crewmembers in locating items or places 

within the system and orienting themselves in relation to those items or places. 

[V2 8013] Intravehicular Translation Paths The system shall provide intravehicular activity (IVA) translation 

paths that allow for safe and unencumbered movement of suited and unsuited crew and equipment. 

[V2 8014] Emergency Escape Paths The system shall provide unimpeded and visible emergency escape 

routes commensurate with the hazard analyses and response concepts.

[V2 8020] Assisted Ingress and Egress Translation Path The system shall provide translation paths that 

accommodate the ingress and egress of a crewmember assisted by another crewmember. 

[V2 11005] EVA Translation Path Hazard Avoidance EVA translation paths shall be free from hazards.

Referenced Technical Requirements

13 11/29/2023

Rev C

View the current versions of NASA-STD3001 Volume 1 & Volume 2 on the 

OCHMO Standards website
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-025

Cabin Architecture

NASA Office of the Chief Health & Medical Officer (OCHMO)

This Technical Brief is derived from NASA-STD-3001 and is for reference only.

It does not supersede or waive existing Agency, Program, or Contract requirements.

Reference List

1. Human Integration Design Handbook (HIDH). (2014). NASA/SP-2010-3407/REV1. 

https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/human_integration_design_handbook_revision_

1.pdf

2. Stuster, J. (2010). Behavioral Issues Associated with Long-Duration Space Expeditions: Review and 

Analysis of Astronaut Journals Experiment 01-E104 (Journals): Final Report. NASA/TM-2010-216130. 

https://lsda.jsc.nasa.gov/lsda_data/dataset_inv_data/ILSRA_2001_104__1740256372_.pdf_Expeditio

n_8_ILSRA-2001-104_2011_31_010100.pdf

14 11/29/2023

Rev C