Practice Space Simulation Like The Astronauts

Astronauts require a great deal of training in order to ensure they can successfully and safely carry out their missions. However unlike other professions there is no way for astronaut to get hands on training in real space. After all they can’t just grab a shuttle and go for a cruise. But astronauts have a very excellent source of training that they do utilize. Astronauts train with space simulation. And now you can practice space simulation just like the astronauts.

Astronauts practice the shuttle launch, docking, and landing using high tech space simulation programs. These interactive simulations provide an experience that is incredibly similar to a real flight. Now similar type simulations are available to you.

Your shuttle simulation incorporates the retract crew access arm, GOX vent arm, the auxiliary power unit, sound water suppression, the main engine start, and the go for launch. You will be required to initiate the process in the correct order or the systems will shut down and require you to restart their launch.

You also get to select your mission and your space craft so you can experience flight on any one of the spacecraft. You can choose between Columbia, Delta, Pegasus, Atlas, Titan, Atlantis, Titan, Discovery, and Endeavour.

You need to make sure you follow all directions provided and become familiar with the console on the left. You’ll have to watch the view port and follow the instructions given. If you do not follow these instructions properly you will be required to start your mission over.

You’ll be provided with all the buttons located just as they would be within the shuttle you have chosen. As your mission progresses you will be notified of the status and you will receive confirmation of events. For example you will receive confirmation that the orbiter hatch is closed or that the leak checks have been completed.

You will experience a full countdown to launch and you will experience the full pre-launch sequence which will initiate the Auxiliary Power Units. You will then have to retract GOX. This 13 foot GOX vent arm is fondly called the beanie cap.

Now you’ll need to initialize the Sound Water Suppression System in order to have a successful launch. This system protects the orbiter and the payload from damage. Next you will have to perform the Main Ignition Start. This system is made up of many explosives that need to be detonated in the correct order for launch to occur. And finally you are clear for”Go For Launch.” Count down begins and soon you will be in space. You’ve just launched your first shuttle.

The docking simulator follows a specific protocol as well allowing you to experience a full docking simulation. Astronauts participate in a full dress rehearsal which includes shuttle pitch maneuvers and bell rolls. Of course you can’t experience the procedure quite like the astronauts but darn close!

Finally there is the space shuttle landing simulation. You’ll start with a movie showing the landing area at Kennedy Space Center. From this view you can determine all your option, you’ll then see a view of the shuttle cockpit which of course you are inside and the simulation begins.

You’ll see lots of switches, controls, and dials which will help you land your shuttle. You can get the latest information by clicking the arrows at the bottom of your screen.

You’ll start your simulation at around 400,000 feet above ground and more than 4000 miles away from the landing. You’ll need to control the drag to control the speed of your decent. You’ll see an image of the earth as you enter its atmosphere and your status will be displayed continuously on the screen. You need to lower the orbiter through the atmosphere. Once you succeed at this you’ll move onto the entry phase. If you fail the entering the atmosphere you will have to repeat this screen until you are successful.

Once you pass the entry phase you next phase is the TAEM phase which stands for terminal area energy management. This starts about 82,000 feet from earth. You need to manage the energy while lining up the shuttle with the runway. Now you’ll need to bring the orbiters towards the runway and then you’ll have to employ your drag shoot to land. If you successfully land you’ll get rewarded with a congratulations.

Space simulators and flight simulators have come a long way in the past few years. Of course the space simulation you enjoy won’t be quite as realistic as the space simulations used by astronauts but it is extremely detailed and will give you terrific simulation of what it’s like to be an astronaut. Are you ready to try it?



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