NASA to use mixed reality space station to train astronauts : The Tribune India

Join Whatsapp Channel

NASA to use mixed reality space station to train astronauts

WASHINGTON: NASA is creating a new mixed reality International Space Station (ISS) simulator that will help train astronauts for their journey to the orbiting lab.

NASA to use mixed reality space station to train astronauts

Photo source: Thinkstock



Washington

NASA is creating a new mixed reality International Space Station (ISS) simulator that will help train astronauts for their journey to the orbiting lab.

To become a qualified NASA astronaut, candidates spend up to two years of training through intensive classes and simulations that help prepare for working in zero gravity, navigating around different parts of the space shuttle, and serving as each others' emergency medical technicians.

In the past, astronaut training meant dives in a "neutral buoyancy lab”, a giant pool that holds 6.2 million gallons of water, and spending time at NASA's "space vehicle mock-up facility”, a life-sized model of the space shuttle orbiter and parts of the international space station (ISS).

Those physical facilities have limited capacity. Adding a mixed reality mock-up, alongside the physical facility, could allow astronauts-in-training a lot more time to hone their skills in a convincing simulation, the 'Tech Crunch' reported.

The mixed reality system, developed in collaboration with Epic Games' Unreal Engine to create shows instruments on board the ISS, including different exercise machines and tools that astronauts use for maintenance work there.

The mixed reality ISS app sweeps astronauts-in-training off their feet with an "active response gravity offload system."

It works in conjunction with a robotic crane that makes the trainee feel like they would in micro gravity.

Besides using the mixed reality system to train astronauts and engineers for life and work in orbit, NASA will use it to design new habitats. — PTI

Top News

Arvind Kejriwal to be produced before Delhi court today as 6-day ED custody ends

Excise policy case: Delhi court extends ED custody of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal till April 1

In his submissions, Kejriwal said, ‘I am named by 4 witnesse...

Delhi High Court dismisses PIL to remove Arvind Kejriwal from CM post after arrest

Delhi High Court dismisses PIL to remove Arvind Kejriwal from CM post after arrest

The bench refuses to comment on merits of the issue, saying ...

‘Unwarranted, unacceptable’: India on US remarks on Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest

‘Unwarranted, unacceptable’: India on US remarks on Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest

MEA spokesperson says India is proud of its independent and ...

Bullying Congress culture, no wonder being rejected: PM Modi, backs senior lawyers who flagged attempts to undermine public trust in judiciary

Bullying Congress culture, no wonder being rejected: PM Modi

Backs senior lawyers who flagged attempts to undermine publi...

Gujarat court sentences former IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt to 20 years in jail in 1996 drug case

Gujarat court sentences former IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt to 20 years in jail in 1996 drug case

Bhatt, who was sacked from the force in 2015, is already beh...


Cities

View All