Image: Virtual reality program that can help scientists visualize the magnetic fields around the earth.
NASA is currently developing virtual reality environments at Goddard Spaceflight Center in Maryland that can be used for a multiple of things, such as geological research and repairing orbiting satellites.
NASA engineer and manager of the virtual reality program, Thomas Grubb, has high hopes for the program, explaining it could be "extremely useful for NASA scientists." He goes on to explain that the goal of the program is to scale up the use of virtual reality, and go beyond the Mars immersion program. One example is Brent Garry, a NASA volcanologist who is hoping that virtual visits to a rock formation in Idaho can help him to plan real research trips. Another application in development could help technicians repair satellites. If the repairs are successful, then satellites that would have died when their batteries did could continue to function.
On staff to work on the pilot program are some teenagers that Grubb hired. One intern is high school senior Jackson Ames uses his VR video game knowledge to help him decide what does and doesn't work in VR.
Grubbs also expresses concern about people's reactions to using VR at NASA because of its usage in the video game industry. He's worried that people will see it as only a game that can't possibly work to advance science.
Discussion Questions:
What are your thoughts on NASA's virtual reality program? Is it the best approach to advance research or repair broken satellites in space? What are some other effects of using virtual reality?
Article:
NPR
5 comments:
If this works, I think it is a great way to address Grubbs' fear that people only see VR as a feature of video games. NASA is developing technology that could provide them with a new way to approach problem solving. This could potentially save researchers a lot of time and money by giving them a chance to visualize their projects, like Brent Garry plans to do with the rock formations in Idaho. Overall, I am excited to hear more about how VR can be used by the scientific community.
I think this is a great way not only to help NASA repair satellites, but also for VR technology to become more advanced. It can help researchers with spatial and atmospheric calculations, and immerse them in the mindset they need to make repairs. VR should not be seen as invalid simply because it is used in video games, because that closes many doors that could vastly help researchers. The technology should not be overlooked just because it's used n video games, because that is only one possible use for it, and expanding the areas where VR could be used to benefit life could be vital to scientific progression. The use of VR is extremely helpful, and will push NASA to even greater things.
NASA's virtual reality program has huge potential and can seriously help both scientists and researchers. At the same time however, it is very ambitious and probably extremely expensive. If the virtual visits are to be accurate, NASA would need something that can record these locations in real time so that researchers can provide accurate analysis regarding the locations. In its current stage, I do not think VR will be capable of fixing satellites, due to the delicacy of the repairments that are normally required to fix satellites. One small mistake, and you might damage the satellite even more. While this is also true when repairing a satellite manually in space, there are many different factors that increase the dangers of hurting a satellite in VR. Potential bugs in the system may hurt the machines that the user is manipulating and make it unresponsive. If the machine breaks, how will it be fixed? While VR seems like an effective solution in the future, I do not think the technology required exists yet. Once the technology is invented, I am excited to see how NASA will utilize it to help them as well as the scientific community.
At first, the population may think that since NASA is using a program commonly associated with video games, VR is not to be taken seriously or seen as a game. However, with further development and implementation, I think that people could see past the video game association, and rather as a helpful tool for NASA scientists. Furthermore, as Jason Crusan, Director of NASA’s Advanced Exploration Systems Division said, “Simulated environments are important in astronaut training,” demonstrating developing this program will enhance the performance of astronauts. Furthermore, using VR tech could increase interest in the STEM field. I find this development quite exciting.
This is a great idea and it just goes to show how much the advances in technology can bring us to infinite possibilities. It's super interesting that they have brought in a teenager to NASA, evidently one of the top programs in the world, to share his knowledge in Virtual Reality. I understand that maybe the older generations will question the use of VR and video game technology at NASA, but at this day and age, it's totally normal to use VR to manipulate the way one sees something. If this project continues to be successful, the future of space research and technologies will keep developing to be even better.
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