Training astronauts using three-dimensional visualisations of the International Space Station

Recent advances in personal computer technology have led to the development of relatively low-cost software to generate high-resolution three-dimensio nal images. The capability both to rotate and zoom in on these images super posed on appropriate background images enables high-quality movies to be cr eated. These developments have been used to produce realistic simulations o f the International Space Station on CD-ROM. This product is described and its potentialities demonstrated. With successive launches, the ISS is gradu ally built up, and visualised over a rotating Earth against the star backgr ound. It is anticipated that this product's capability will be useful when training astronauts to carry out EVAs around the ISS. Simulations inside th e ISS are also very realistic. These should prove invaluable when familiari sing the TSS crew with their future workplace and home. Operating procedure s can be taught and perfected. "What if" scenario models can be explored an d this Facility should be useful when training the crew to deal with emerge ncy situations which might arise. This CD-ROM product will also be used to make the general public more aware of, and hence enthusiastic about, the In ternational Space Station programme. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rig hts reserved.