I had a chance to check out a Soyuz training mock-up and one of the Space Shuttle simulators at the Johnson Space Center a few years ago and this was something that really impressed me about the Space Shuttle.
In the Soyuz the crew sits almost with their knees against their chest.[1] The Space Shuttle flight deck basically felt like an airliner, but in space (at least as someone unfamiliar with airliners) [2].
Even in 2010 knowing that the program was being canceled, it was basically how I'd imagine space flight from the future. Although in reality the tiny-metal-can approach seems like it's still the safest and most cost effective way to get back from space.
In the Soyuz the crew sits almost with their knees against their chest.[1] The Space Shuttle flight deck basically felt like an airliner, but in space (at least as someone unfamiliar with airliners) [2].
Even in 2010 knowing that the program was being canceled, it was basically how I'd imagine space flight from the future. Although in reality the tiny-metal-can approach seems like it's still the safest and most cost effective way to get back from space.
[1] http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/station/crew-26/h... (this is before putting on the bulky pressure suit)
[2] http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/442024main_s131e006074_hi...