Virtual Worlds Case Study: NASA CoLab

What is NASA? NASA: National Aeronautics and Space Admistration Formed July 29, 1958 by President Eisenhower in response to the Soviet Union’s space program Mission statement: to “pioneer the future in space exploration, scientific discovery, and aeronautics research.” They are responsible for the US civilians space program, aeronautics and aerospace research.

NASA: A Timeline

The Challenge CoLab needed a space to support their physical location in San Francisco Connect all members of the scientific/space exploration community Worried scientific discoveries were being delayed because of lack of communication

The Challenge, cont. The primary challenge for NASA was to create an environment that: Allowed for the transfer of knowledge and the collaboration of ideas between scientific community groups; Utilized the community knowledge to discover and develop new innovations and technologies for the space program that support NASA’s Vision for Space Exploration; Educated professions and the public regarding NASA and the space program with interactive activities

Why 3D? “face-to-face” discussions for real-time meetings Information would be more easily shared, therefore more productive Accurate representations and visualizations Fast prototyping and co-design Participatory exploration by the general public Increase the publics interest in NASA

Making the Case No travel – save time and money Global connectivity Increased time for collaboration Global connectivity Interact with scientists throughout the world Increased accessibility and interest in science by the general public

The Solution Variety of exhibits Picnic Hill International Spaceflight Museum Testbed Interaction Create scenarios Meeting rooms Many uses

The Benefits Benefits Collaboration w/o expenses Saves time and money Opportunity to explore Average citizens Past, present, and future

The Results Problem Social Networks Solution Virtual worlds Private Sector Broadcasts Interaction between personnel

Lessons Learned CoLab has taught NASA many lessons. These lessons can be used by other organizations seeking to invest in the virtual realm.. Lesson I: Acknowledge the Existing Community Lesson II: Work with the Existing Community

Lesson1: Acknowledge the Existing Community -Recognize important infrastructure within the community -ISM -Do not compete with these well developed sites -Instead, attempt to find your own niche As a result… -Individuals from ISM and the Second Life community at large were quick to embrace NASA’s cause -Some residents volunteered to help NASA create CoLab

Lesson II: Work with the Existing Community -Encourage community participation -The community will be able to mold the site into something relevant and innovative -They will help your site find its unique niche As a result…. -NASA and individuals from ISM worked on the CoLab project -Today, NASA and ISM form the center of Sciland -CoLab offers Second Life residents unique experiences and opportunities

Work Cited Drapeau, Mark. "Government 2.0: NASA CoLab-oration." Mashable. N.p., Octover 6, 2008. Web. 23 Jan 2011. <http://mashable.com/2008/10/06/nasa-colab/>. "Next Generation Exploration Conference 2 (NGEC2) in Second Life -useful links." Space CoLab. N.p., 13 Feb 2008. Web. 23 Jan 2011. http://spacecolab.wordpress.com/2008/02/13/next-generation-exploration-conference-ii-ngec2-in-second-life/>. Nino, Tateru. "Second Life Places: NASA CoLab." Massively. N.p., 14 May 2008. Web. 25 Jan 2011. <http/::massively.joystiq.com:2008:05:14:second-life-places-nasa-colab:>. Okimura, Tek. "What is NASA CoLab." NASA CoLab. N.p., 4 Nov 2009. Web. 23 Jan 2011. <http://colab.arc.nasa.gov/colab>. Rufer-Bach, Kimberly. The Second Life Grid. Indianapolis: Wiley Publishing Inc., 2009. 20. Print. Smith, Stephanie. "Second Life Mixed Reality Broadcasts: A Timeline of Practical Experiments at the NASA CoLab Island." Journal of Virtual Worlds Research. 1.1 (2008): Print. "Timeline of NASA, the Space Shuttle and Near Earth Space Flights." Timeline NASA. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Jan 2011. <http://timelines.ws/subjects/NASA.HTML>. "A Timeline of Practical Experiments at the NASA CoLab Island.." jvwresearch.rog. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Jan 2011. "Using Second Life for Knowledge Transfer and Collaboration." NASA. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Jan 2011. <http://km.nasa.gov/home/index.html>.