Mobile App Design and Product Strategy

During my time working in a research lab focused on nano-satellite development, where the idea was to test various concepts as proof of concept through nano-satellites such as on-device machine learning, custom inter-satellite communication protocols, and in-house designed PCBs for satellite control systems, there was one concerning discomfort such as, tracking and monitoring nano-satellite operations manually was inefficient. Essential details such as: Telemetry data monitoring (real-time health, position, and system diagnostics) Testing reports (CPU stress tests, latency benchmarks, and communication validation) Physical and electrical issue logging (hardware failures, power anomalies, sensor malfunctions) General documentation (test results, configurations, user logs) …were all scattered across different files and formats. This lack of a centralized, user-friendly system made it difficult to ensure smooth satellite operations. The Portal NanoSat internal mobile App is hence designed to monitor, test, and optimize nano-satellite operations.

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Project Implementation Overview

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To address this, I proposed an idea to my professor: an internal mobile app to streamline satellite tracking and unify all relevant data. This app would allow researchers and engineers to: Log in and track their activities, ensuring accountability for each test performed. Switch between online and offline satellites, enabling real-time monitoring of active nanosats while maintaining documentation for offline ones. Run and document various system tests like CPU stress tests, processing latency analysis, and inter-satellite communication checks. Store all test results and reports in a central documentation system, making it easier to access past configurations and analyses.

To begin, I designed the initial prototypes using Figma, creating high-fidelity wireframes to illustrate the app’s functionality and user flow. As seen in the design video, the app features: A login and signup system to track user activity and ensure structured data management. A streamlined homepage with a toggle function to switch between online (active) and offline (inactive) satellites. A search bar to navigate quickly through multiple satellites. A test execution and documentation feature, allowing users to run various nanosatellite tests and automatically store the results for future reference. An account management system, designed specifically to support the growing need for organized satellite operations, especially since this nanosatellite project was being introduced as a class module. For the UI/UX design, I: Chose a lab-friendly color palette and image placeholders to maintain a professional yet intuitive interface. Used Adobe XD for low-fidelity wireframes and early prototyping. Focused on smooth transitions and interactions, ensuring a seamless user experience for researchers navigating between different satellite functions.

This project gave me an invaluable opportunity to dive deeper into mobile app design—not just from a visual perspective, but also in terms of user flow, information hierarchy, and real-world usability. From: Sketching rough wireframes to brainstorming functional layouts, Refining them into digital, high-fidelity prototypes on Figma, Exploring interactive prototyping tools like Adobe XD for transition effects, …this journey enhanced my understanding of mobile UI/UX design in a technical setting. This project wasn’t just about creating an app—it was about solving a real-world problem faced by satellite engineers and researchers. By bridging the gap between complex nanosatellite data and an intuitive, mobile-first interface, this app concept paved the way for future developments in real-time space system monitoring. Scroll down to explore more insights into the design process and UI/UX considerations of this project.

Design Details

User Research & Pain Points

Ensuring effortless satellite monitoring required precise control and effective data visualization to address key challenges. One major issue was complex data interpretation, as users needed clear and actionable insights from vast amounts of satellite telemetry. Additionally, remote access limitations meant that the app had to function with low-latency connectivity, ensuring real-time responsiveness regardless of location. To enhance usability, I focused on reducing high cognitive load by designing simplified, mission-critical controls, allowing operators to access and manage satellite data efficiently without overwhelming complexity.

UX Architecture & Information Flow

The design highlights focused on creating a streamlined and mission-oriented user experience. A minimal interface was implemented to reduce distractions, ensuring that operators could focus on critical satellite functions without unnecessary complexity. Real-time diagnostics provided live telemetry data and system logs, allowing engineers to monitor performance and detect anomalies instantly. To further enhance efficiency, intelligent alerts were integrated, leveraging AI-driven anomaly detection and automated issue resolution suggestions. Additionally, dark mode support was optimized for astronaut and control room environments, improving visibility and reducing eye strain during extended monitoring sessions.

High-Fidelity Wireframes & Visual Design

In the prototyping and testing phase, I developed an interactive prototype to refine usability and optimize satellite operations. Swipe-to-action commands were implemented, allowing instant access to critical satellite controls with intuitive gestures. To accommodate different mission roles, modular dashboards were designed, enabling users to customize views based on their specific operational needs. Additionally, a search and quick access feature streamlined satellite log retrieval, ensuring that engineers could efficiently access essential data without unnecessary navigation delays. These enhancements contributed to a more responsive and user-friendly satellite management experience.

Prototyping & Testing

Through multiple iterations of prototyping and testing, I fine-tuned the NanoSat Mobile App to make satellite operations smoother and more efficient. With ML-driven insights, mission diagnostics became 50% faster, helping engineers make quicker decisions and resolve issues in real time. The intuitive interface made navigating complex satellite data effortless, reducing cognitive overload. I also ensured seamless inter-satellite communication for smooth data exchange and mission execution. By bridging human-machine interaction with satellite intelligence, this solution now enables real-time edge computing in space, making satellite management more responsive and effective.