NASA is all for technology. Heck, it is probably the most advanced single scientific organization out there. Among the cutting edge and state of the art stuff it has in its arsenal, are things like mixed and virtual reality. And it is now putting them to good use. NASA has apparently linked arms with Epic Games’ Unreal Engine to create a International Space Station simulator using mixed reality. The simulated space station will be used to train future astronauts before their sojourns beyond the confines of the planet.
Becoming an astronaut is not easy. Sure, on the surface it may look like wearing bulky clothes and waving at the camera ans spinning out a few tweets every once in a while but deep down, it is probably one of the toughest jobs out there. From training yourself to adapt to zero gravity environments, to being mentally and physically ready to look the vastness of the space into the eye while performing routine checkups, there is no redemption from failure. Which is also one reason while training for the job is so important.
However, you can train people for combat, you can train them for athletic events but how do you train them to go out into the space without sending them there? NASA has developed workaround that involve putting astronauts into pools of water, getting them to interact with the kind of devices and vehicles you encounter in huge warehouses. That helps of course, but it is not like the real deal. The space agency is now deploying tech to get over the hurdle.
In conjunction with the Unreal Engine, NASA is working on a system that will let the Astronauts feel like they would in space. By using things like cranes along with the world created using Mixed Reality, NASA can afford a realistic experience like never before. The system can also conjure up instruments and other elements that are actually on board the ISS. So at its optimum level, an astronaut trained using this engine wouldn’t feel too much of a shock once he/she gets to deal with the real thing.
Well, that’s technology for you. Check out a video of the simulator right below:
