interactive virtual simulation tools to enhance crew training - the atv experience
- Paper number
IAC-09.B6.3.4
- Author
Dr. Liliana Ravagnolo, ALTEC S.p.A., Italy
- Coauthor
Mr. Richard Moss, Astrium UK, Germany
- Coauthor
Mr. L. Arguello, European Space Agency, The Netherlands
- Year
2009
- Abstract
With the docking of the first Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV), the European Space Agency (ESA) demonstrated its mature state of human spaceflight activities. Along with the latest guidance and navigation technology, the ATV-1 (Jules Verne) also carried the first step of the next generation of on-board training tool. Developed with a visual communication software publishing company, Parallel Graphics, the ICC Viewer tool is a 3D animation training manual. Visual learning is used to enhance the learning skills of the crew member and counter the degradation of memory retention between initial ground training and on-orbit operations. Several lessons have been developed based on ATV on-orbit procedures to refresh the crew about all activities they have to perform inside ATV on-board, including maintenance. The lessons are loaded on the Space Station Support computer (SSC) and can be updated from ground as needed with the changing of the on-board procedures. Each lesson can be run by the crew during their preparation and even during real time operations reminding about the tools and equipment to be used. The ICC Viewer tool can be also used for Flight Controllers training and real time operations support to give the Ground Control personnel a deeper insight on the crew activities on board. Knowing what the crew is trained to do on-orbit helps in clarifying expectations from Control Centers about crew time spent in manual activities, possible problems and possible questions raised by the crew in preparation and during real time operations. The ICC (Integrated Cargo Carrier) Viewer tool has been highly appreciated by all astronaut and cosmonaut as well as by the flight control teams and experts who have used it within the involved agencies (ESA/NASA/RSA). A new training tool, the PDA Emergency simulator, is currently under development to be used as simulation tool on ground and (possibly in the future) during Station Emergency on-board training Drills on the International Space Station (ISS) to increase realism and maintain crew’s proficiency at a required level. Additional interactive “ground interfaces” which are currently under development might improve the entire active Flight Control Team participation and required interactions with “Crew” and the “Vehicle” in order to support saving life and the Space Station. This paper describes the experience matured during the first ATV mission (Jules Verne flight, March-September 08) using the ICC Viewer tool and presents the PDA Emergency simulator features available to be utilized during the crew training for the next ATV missions.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
(absent)