My then-employer TERC created the official website of “Opportunity” and “Spirit.” This site provides access to the library of images "phoned home" from Mars. A different NASA partner designed that UI.
TERC's project manager, Dan Barstow, asked me to review that UI shortly before the Rovers arrived on Mars. We ran a small-sample usability test that exposed significant issues.
From my sister-in-law's basement on Thanksgiving weekend, I worked remotely with Dan to develop a better UI. We user-tested and refined it in the last weeks before the Rovers' landings.* Time and budget constrained us from adding or consolidating features, so we focused on improving control groupings, consistency and readability.
Our final design was never implemented**, but a few of our suggestions made it into a third and final version of the UI just as the Rovers began their adventures.
* I recommend astrophysics to all who wish to experience the true meaning of "hard deadlines."
** Recently, this notice appeared on the Rover Images live site: “Help us improve this site! Click here to take our survey.” Hm, I wonder if I should resubmit those old designs? :–)
