Why IKEA Engineers Are Heading to a Mars Simulation

IKEA, the Swedish furniture giant, has decided to send some of its engineers to live in a Mars simulation. You might wonder why. Mainly, they hope this out-of-the-ordinary experience will help them develop innovative furniture solutions, especially useful for small apartments.

IKEA is well-known for crafting compact furniture designed to maximize space in an attractive and convenient way. And where is compactness and convenience more crucial than in space shuttles and other space facilities?

"It's a fun and crazy experience. We'll be isolated for three days to get a taste of what astronauts go through during their three-year training," one engineer stated.

What does NASA gain from collaborating with IKEA? The designers at IKEA hope to come up with some intriguing ideas that will help NASA build more comfortable space shuttles. However, the main benefit is likely to be reaped by the Swedish company. The simulation, with its cramped quarters, impersonal design, and space services, aims to help the engineers develop design solutions that work even better on Earth.

IKEA's management is so convinced of the impact that living in the space simulation will have on their engineers' ability to think outside the box that they announced a new 'Space-Inspired' collection set to hit stores in 2019.

As for NASA, they're not yet prepared to announce a date for the first mission to Mars. Their official plans suggest conservatively that it won't happen before 2030. This means long before astronauts on Mars enjoy the fruits of IKEA engineers' creativity, IKEA will be enjoying healthy sales from their 'Space Products' line.