Researchers at the University of Würzburg have developed a headset that astronauts can use to train for various missions. It has now been tested at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne.
Whether for repairs, sensor replacements or the installation of new equipment – space station missions require extensive crew training. To simulate the weightlessness of space, training often takes place in giant water tanks. These contain full-scale replicas of shuttles and space stations. The problem is: Such tanks are extremely expensive and there are only a few of them in the world.
A team of researchers from the University of Würzburg (JMU) has now developed a flexible and cost-effective alternative (we reported [Link: https://www.uni-wuerzburg.de/en/news-and-events/news/detail/news/wuerzburg-compu…]): It uses a waterproof virtual reality headset that allows training in any conventional swimming pool. It was developed at the Chair of Computer Science XVII (Robotics) under the direction of Andreas Nüchter and at the Chair of Computer Science IX (Human Computer Interaction) under the direction of Marc Latoschik.
Good to know: Virtual Reality (VR) is a technology that makes it possible to immerse oneself in a computer-generated, immersive environment through a headset (usually glasses). Instead of elaborate shuttle replicas, there are just simple plastic blocks in the water, captured by the VR goggles and displayed in virtual reality as components of a space station.
Field Test by ESA Astronauts in Cologne, Germany
Since the headset was first developed in January 2024, researchers have made significant progress in tracking technology, enabling them to further improve the stability and response time of the system. “This is crucial to ensure a seamless and immersive training experience, especially during longer training sessions“, says developer Andreas Nüchter. “A faster and more stable system also minimizes discomfort during use, such as motion sickness.“
After presenting the system for the first time at the European Space Agency’s (ESA) AR/VR conference in December 2023, the Würzburg research team has now traveled to the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne. There, the new system was put through its paces in the water tanks of the Neutral Buoyancy Facility.
First, the testers completed a set procedure in which they performed structured orientation and navigation tasks in the virtual environment. Then they were free to move around.
Test Astronauts Come to a Positive Conclusion
The result: The testers found the new system easy to use. ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer mentioned that the simulation of weightlessness with the underwater VR headset was very similar to that on the ISS. “We are very pleased with this feedback“, says Andreas Nüchter. “It is an important step towards establishing underwater VR as an effective tool for astronaut training and supporting the preparation for future space missions.“
Having successfully demonstrated the feasibility and acceptance of an underwater VR solution, the project will now move on to the next phase of development. The plan is to move to inside-out tracking technology, where the cameras are integrated directly into the headset. This evolution will allow for more accurate tracking of movement, as well as the ability to track the hands. As a result, astronauts will be able to train different work
processes more realistically in virtual space.
Quelle:
Foto: The new Würzburg system in a practical test: Equipped with a VR headset, two test astronauts embark on an immersive outboard mission into space. Sven Jörissen
