Yes, astronauts user Velcro in space

Take a moment to picture the inside of the International Space Station (ISS). A marvel of engineering and collaboration, the ISS is bustling with tools, devices, and experiments—each meticulously designed to perform under the unique constraint of microgravity. I was looking at this image of astronauts eating in space and was curious how everything was sitting on the table in zero gravity. Despite seeming chaotic at first glance, everything has its place and purpose, thanks to ingenious yet simple solutions like Velcro and magnets.

Evolution is key

The ISS didn’t emerge fully formed. NASA’s earliest missions began with small, focused goals—think of the Mercury or Gemini programs. Each mission tackled a specific challenge while collecting invaluable data for future endeavors. The lessons learned shaped the growth of the space program, culminating in the current ISS. Velcro came much later.

Similarly, building great products or businesses requires starting small while being adaptable. Early-stage solutions may be straightforward, but as feedback comes in, they evolve to meet growing demands. For example, a startup's minimum viable product (MVP) begins as a basic offering, designed to validate an idea. Over time, through iterative improvement, it grows more sophisticated without losing sight of its original purpose.

The key here is evolution, not overcomplication. Just like the ISS, which relies on both advanced technology and simple utilities, your solutions should evolve while maintaining their core functionality.

Simplicity at the core

While the ISS is undoubtedly complex, you’d be surprised by how much of it depends on simple, ingenious solutions. When astronauts need to secure objects in zero gravity, they don’t reinvent the wheel—they use Velcro strips and magnets. These lightweight, reliable fixes allow tools and supplies to stay in place without requiring elaborate mechanisms. Later, they would use velcro in lots of places. Including to hold down their meals in space.

And simplicity is often just as critical in product and business development. Solutions that prioritize usability, reliability, and flexibility have a far greater impact than overly complex systems. Take Dropbox, for example. Its original concept—a "magic folder" that synced files across devices—focused on solving a clear, specific issue in the simplest way possible. That simplicity empowered growth and widespread adoption.

By anchoring solutions in simplicity, businesses gain the agility and clarity to scale effectively without losing their way under layers of unnecessary complexity.

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