The aim was to investigate the feasibility of designing and testing a sleeping bag for ISS and on ISS. The methodology used included the fabrication of a prototype from material used on ISS such as Nomex based textiles. There were, altogether, three design iterations through feed-back from initially two European astronauts, later from one more of the European astronaut veteran community. Thus, the sleeping bag was developed with close consultation and support from astronauts. With the prototype at hand and ESA feed-back the study was advanced further than a mere feasibility study.

The team consulted the astronaut Gerhard Thiele, who gave his continuous input and feedback and by other consultants such as from EADS-Astrium Friedrichshafen (safety and testing) and Laura Drudi from space medicine at McGill University. The LIQUIFER Systems Group team comprised the study lead, designers, engineers and Human Factor specialists.

Current research in the area of medicine and psychology supports this study regarding near-term measures to be taken to improve the quality of sleep and help mitigating fatigue. Countermeasures have become an issue.

Fatigue is a significant problem posed by astronauts, leading to decrements in alertness and performance; thus, resulting in errors and mishaps. Although nonpharmacologic methods may be used to alleviate symptoms of fatigue, difficulties may arise in sleep initiation and maintenance, such as poor sleep hygiene or circadian dyssynchrony.

The team has been preparing relevant documentation for ESA to fly and test the sleeping bag. The last missing steps to testing this current design of the sleeping bag on ISS are the material tests and the inclusion into a mission..