Applied virtual reality in aerospace

Application of virtual reality (VR) technology offers much promise to enhance and accelerate the development of space systems infrastructure and operations while simultaneously reducing developmental and operational costs. From control center design analyses to extravehicular activity (EVA) operations development to mission and science training for crew and ground controllers, VR can provide cost effective methods to prepare for and conduct space flight operations. A VR applications program has been under development at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)/Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) since 1989. The objectives of the MSFC VR Applications Program are to develop, assess, validate and utilize VR in hardware development, operations development and support, mission operations training and science training. One of the goals of this technology program is to enable specialized human factors analyses earlier in the hardware and operations development process and develop more effective training and mission support systems.