Space Flight Simulator Instructional System Peter Carafano, M.Ed. Associate Professor, Science Department Florida State University Schools

The Origin of SFSI The space simulator instructional system (SFSI) was developed through a grant research project funded by the Florida Department of Education. The grant was awarded to the Science Department at Florida State University Schools The focus of the grant was to develop two systems. A classroom based system that could be easily replicated by science teachers in Florida A mobile space flight system which could be used throughout the state to promote STEM

FSUS Mobile Space Flights Simulator Cockpit

FSUS Mission Control Training Center

Cloned Monitors Being Used In Mission Control

Program Goal Foster interest students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Improve problem solving and critical thinking skills Provide for team building Demonstrate the practical application of math and science. Take advantage of virtual immersion to foster student engagement.

System Concept Patterned after flight simulators and their use to train pilots and astronauts.

System Concept Provide a flexible simulation system that was not overly complicated but still required student effort for mastery. A simple, inexpensive system that could be easily incorporated in the classroom with minimal resources. A system that could modified by the instructor as needed. Necessary software required to operate the program could be obtained for free.

Minimum Required Equipment Three to four computers or lap tops with the the ability to run power points A flight joystick Orbiter flight program SFSI power point multi-function display presentations Reference material Shuttle switch control panels Flight operational checklists and emergency procedures checklists

Basic Classroom Simulator Setup With Cloned Monitors Commander Pilot Mission Specialist Mission Control

SFSI Instructional system Students are divided up into teams of five. Students practice performing flight operations using the procedure checklists. Students train using desk top practice sessions or the classroom simulator.

Classroom Astronauts Three students are responsible for operation of the space shuttle. Commander - They maneuver the space shuttle and are in charge of the orbiter.  Pilot - They assist the Commander in controlling and operating the vehicle on a space mission.   Mission Specialist. They are assigned the responsibility of reading off the pre-flight, in flight and landing checklist.

Classroom Astronauts Two students operate Mission Control. Monitor telemetry readouts of the shuttle systems and confirm telemetry information with the astronauts Monitor the flight checklist to ensure nothing is missed In the event of an Emergency they help the shuttle crew identify the problem then walk them through managing the problem using the Emergency Procedure checklist

Teaching Critical Thinking The most important component of the SFSI system is: To help students learn how to problem solve in situations that reflect real life conditions Focus on the perspective that a team approach works the best

Common Problems with Teaching Problem Solving Either one or several student will take charge and make all the decisions leaving some not involved in the process. The students will not thoroughly think through the problem and come up with a wrong answer. The group will become discouraged and give up and wait for the teacher to give them the “right answer”. The group will come up with “any answer” just so they can get finished and wait to hear what the “right answer” was.

Basic Methods for Problem Management Understand the problem Create a plan to address the problem using a series of actionable steps Maintain motivation so you don't give up or get frustrated when it takes a while to successfully resolve the problem.

Why Use Virtual Simulation?

It’s All About Engagement!

SFSI – A three step process Have the students use the simulator to perform normal flight operations as a team. This process is practices as many times as possible so that they are used to working together and become confident in each other abilities.

SFSI – A three step process Give them simple emergency situations that they can solve using an emergency checklist. Have them practice various emergencies until they are comfortable working together. Practice the procedure of: 1. Evaluate the problem 2. Determine the cause 3. Agree on a course of action 4. Evaluate the results 5. Mange the problem

SFSI – A three step process Third step Give them emergency situations that are not covered by the emergency checklist Have the emergency involve systems that they are familiar with. Have them use their understanding of how the systems work, develop several steps to solve the problem and work together to mitigate the emergency

Space Flight Simulator Instructional System How the Virtual System Works

Simulator System The flight simulator system consist of two separate programs. The “Orbiter” program which is run on the Mission Commander computer. SFSI power point multi-function display presentations which are separated into two systems The “Basic Control Panel Master” Power Point which is run on the Pilots computer The “Mission Specialist Panel” Power Point which is run on the Mission Specialist computer.

Orbiter Orbiter is a freeware space flight simulator program developed to simulate spacecraft using a realistic flight model. It was developed by Martin Schweiger PhD The goal was to provide a simulators with realistic physics based flight models Orbiter has been used as a teaching aid in classrooms, and a community of add-on developers have created a multitude of expansion capabilities.

Orbiter Windows 98/2000/XP/Vista/Win7 1.2 GHz Pentium or equivalent processor 512 MB system RAM DirectX 7 or newer DirectX compatible graphics card with 64 MB of memory Approx. 120 MB free hard disk space for minimum installation.

Orbiter

Orbiter (shuttle landing)

Orbiter (shuttle orbit)

SFSI Power Point Multi-function Displays Power Point Presentations which have been set up, using a standard format, to replicate a LCD cockpit display The Power Points are timed to coincide with “Orbiters” Shuttle program once initiated They are completely editable and can be modified to provide various emergencies or system anomalies

SFSI Power Point Multi-function Displays (Pilot)

SFSI Power Point Multi-function Displays (Mission Spc.)

SFSI Power Point Multi-function Displays An additional Power Point Presentations was also developed for the Mission control team . This provide additional information in the event “cloned monitors are not available for use.

SFSI Power Point Multi-function Displays (Mission Cntrl.)

Reference Material Space Flight Instructional System Guide Complete system operational instructions Orbiter program installation instructions Shuttle switch control panels Flight operation checklists Emergency procedure checklists

Reference Material Space Flight Instructional System Guide

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Space Flight Simulator Instructional System Resource Access

Astronaut Challenge Website Reference Material Section http://www.astronautchallenge.com/