  This chapter explores the practice of conducting user research studies and
design assessments in virtual reality (VR). An overview of key VR hardware and
software tools is provided, including game engines, such as Unity and Unreal
Engine. Qualitative and quantitative research methods, along with their various
synergies with VR, are likewise discussed, and some of the challenges
associated with VR, such as limited sensory stimulation, are reflected upon. VR
is proving particularly useful in the context of space systems development,
where its utilisation offers a cost-effective and secure method for simulating
extraterrestrial environments, allowing for rapid prototyping and evaluation of
innovative concepts under representative operational conditions. To illustrate
this, we present a case study detailing the application of VR to aid aerospace
engineers testing their ideas with end-users and stakeholders during early
design stages of the European Space Agency's (ESA) prospective Argonaut lunar
lander. This case study demonstrates the effectiveness of VR simulations in
gathering important feedback concerning the operability of the Argonaut lander
in poor lighting conditions as well as surfacing relevant ergonomics
considerations and constraints. The chapter concludes by discussing the
strengths and weaknesses associated with VR-based user studies and proposes
future research directions, emphasising the necessity for novel VR interfaces
to overcome existing technical limitations.
