1. Virtual Worlds Case Study: NASA CoLab

2. 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.

3. NASA: A Timeline

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

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

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

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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. Work Cited
Drapeau, Mark. "Government 2.0: NASA CoLab-oration." Mashable. N.p., Octover 6, Web. 23 Jan <
"Next Generation Exploration Conference 2 (NGEC2) in Second Life -useful links." Space CoLab. N.p., 13 Feb Web. 23 Jan
Nino, Tateru. "Second Life Places: NASA CoLab." Massively. N.p., 14 May Web. 25 Jan <http/::massively.joystiq.com:2008:05:14:second-life-places-nasa-colab:>.
Okimura, Tek. "What is NASA CoLab." NASA CoLab. N.p., 4 Nov Web. 23 Jan <
Rufer-Bach, Kimberly. The Second Life Grid. Indianapolis: Wiley Publishing Inc., 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 <
"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 <