Virtual Reality In Space Exploration

Virtual Reality: Virtual Reality(VR) is defined as HUMAN COMPUTER INTERFACE that stimulate realistic environments while enabling participant interaction as a 3D digital world that accurately models actual environment or simply as cyberspace.

The Term “Virtual Reality” was COINED by JARON LANIER, founder of VPL research, in the late 1980’s.

S Space Exploration

CONTENTS Introduction. Gering up the virtual interface. An experience in the space. Telerobotics. Planetary Explorer. The space shuttle Inspector. The space shuttle design assistant. Closing Thoughts.

introduction In 1969,NEIL ARMSTRONG took the first “SMALL STEP” on the MOON. SPACE EXPLORATION was no easy task as there where many PROBLEMS regarding economy and safety of astronauts. To overcome these problems SPACE AGENCIES came up with VIRTUAL REALITY.

Gering up the virtual interface As described earlier, virtual reality technology is so powerful that it gives the user a sense of being immersed in the virtual world. This kind of immersion is a very important feature of effective virtual reality systems .

In order to let the users / operators have the sense of being immersed in the virtual environment, two important devices are needed : Data Glove Head-Mounted Display ( HMD )

Data Glove Data Glove is a kind of virtual reality input device that allows a user to react to the virtual environment. The data glove shown in the diagram on the right is the Dexterous Hand Master produced by Exos.

Head-Mounted Display ( HMD ) HMD is a device that cuts off visual and audio sensations from the surrounding world and replaces them with computer generated three-dimensional images

An experience in the space. With the HMD and data glove, an astronaut under the training program is able to walk along the planet surface such as the Moon and pick some objects in the virtual world. NASA has developed a new type of telepresence control devices known as telerobotics.

Telerobotics Using telerobotic technique, a operator controlling a robot over a distance has a sense of being at the working site and the feeling of manipulating the object held by the telerobot. Eg:Telepresence Training for Space Shuttle Remote Robotic Manipulator under NASA .

Planetary Explorer Planetary explorers replace the job of the astronauts in these conditions. These explorers, in the form of robotic vehicles may be deployed on Mars to find potential landing sites for future exhibitions and areas of scientific interest.

The space shuttle Inspector Regular inspection of the space shuttle is crucial for Safety and determining what and where repairs are needed. The diagram above shows a Telerobot called Tesselator" developed by NASA Space Telerobotics Program for space shuttle inspection.

The space shuttle design assistant With the use of virtual reality technique, the designer can use the HMD to view the virtual prototype model and to use computer simulation for examining Imperfections before development. Besides, simulation can be used to see the thermodynamics of the space shuttle when it is subjected to various degrees of pressure during the re- entry into the Earth's atmosphere.

The diagram shows the simulation results on the surface pressure of the space shuttle which is a project conducted by the Space Systems Division of NASA.

Closing Thoughts So far, we have illustrated the uses of virtual reality in different areas of space exploration and how they aid us in numerous ways. It can be justified to conclude that it is truly a technology we cannot do without in this fascinating industry. An adventure and a new era of scientific knowledge – entering new worlds to discover new chemical elements, to gain clues about the mystery of the Universe and ultimately, the hope to encounter Extra-Terrestrial Intelligent (aliens)!

The method for future space exploration is the use of Telepresence The method for future space exploration is the use of Telepresence . Besides, there are also many promising commercial and educational advantages. As space travel becomes more accessible, the space agencies can deliver telepresence controlled robots to other planets.

Presented by P.Apurva

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