Effects of Color Labels on Visual Search Performance and Affect in a Simulated Space Station Stowage Environment: A Tianzhou-Analog Study

Visual clutter and high workload in space station cargo modules importantly impede search efficiency and adversely affect crew members’ physical and mental well-being. Mitigating visual clutter within these compartments is crucial for enhancing astronauts’ task performance and sustaining morale. This study investigated the effects of color labels on stowage bag visual search performance and affect in a simulated cargo bay environment. In a standardized laboratory study using virtual reality, 50 participants completed visual search tasks across 2 stowage conditions (organized and cluttered) and 4 color conditions, with affect assessed via questionnaire. Results indicate that color labels significantly enhance task performance and reduce negative affect in simulated cargo bay settings, with greater efficacy observed in cluttered layouts. Higher-saturation labels were found to amplify positive affect and markedly improve task performance. In summary, judicious color labels can enhance search efficiency and support psychological comfort in space station cargo bays, offering evidence-based parameters for environmental information design in dense, safety-critical storage interiors.