Astronaut Training in VR

Problem Statement

Today, digital transformation is becoming more and more influential, leading to new perspectives and possibilities. This also includes virtual reality technology, which is used more and more in everyday life, e.g. for games or in museums. In Virtual Reality (VR), the user moves into a virtual environment. Here it is possible that the user can interact with digital elements in a virtual environment while his real movements are transferred to the digital level. In this context, the present work deals with the design and implementation of a prototype for a VR application, which examines future astronauts.

Idea and Concept

The aim is to technologically support the selection procedure for the suitability for astronaut training and to prepare future astronauts for soon to be launched lunar and Mars missions. Part of the selection procedure for astronauts will be mapped in Virtual Reality in the form of an escape room.

Implementation

For this purpose a submarine scenario was developed, which in its model-like implementation does not require any experience or knowledge from the space sector – this is only later content of the training and cannot be assumed – but due to comparable environmental parameters, vehicles and instruments an appropriate atmosphere is created. In this context, generally required characteristics such as the handling of time pressure and resilience are tested.