Stands

Virtual-reality-based stand for ISS crew training

Designation of the stand

Virtual reality-based stand for ISS crew training is used for cosmonauts pre-training preparation at different stages of training for the space flight.

Tasks of the stand.

To simulate the ISS RS on-board systems operation. To provide an adequate respond of the onboard systems' models to the controlling action of a trainee;

To provide a virtual picture of ISS RS and a free translation inside the virtual world, having six degrees of freedom and a possibility of on-line interaction between the exterior and interior of ISS RS and its on-board systems models;

To ensure an informational and reference support of a trainee, who is in need of the required information on the ISS board systems and hardware;

To train a team spirit. To master the interaction between crewmembers, while operating the on-board systems, doing maintenance and repair.

In the course of their training and depending on the training stage cosmonauts and astronauts study the on-board systems' location and their design principles, ISS RS structure and configuration, acquire skills of onboard systems control with the help of consoles and control panels in regular and off-nominal modes.

Composition of the stand

The stand consists of:

A cosmonaut (trainee) workstation

A instructor's work station

A simulating server

A directory server

The basic elements of the stand are implemented on the basis of personal computers.

The virtual reality software enables to do free floating inside the virtual world with six degrees of freedom in a pseudo-substantial time scale.

At present cosmonauts and astronauts can work both with the SM and FGB images independently and having them in mated state.

FGB and Service Module Exterior and Interior View Simulation

It is possible to load either interior or exterior view of the space objects depending on the training goals.

The virtual world has a high level of detailing, based on the drawings of actual space objects, that allows not to only ensure an easy recognition of the space object, but to also carry out pre- and debrief.

It is possible to quickly realize the following:

To shut down any attitude control plane in combination with its behind-the-panel equipment;

To do cross-section at any place;

To be translated to any of the beforehand pre-set view points, with a possibility of a further movement (with the help of six degrees of freedom).

For the purpose of enhancing the operator's/cosmonaut's workstation speed of response the virtual world represents the database of the existing objects, which are realized with a different detailing degree and which can be additionally and quickly loaded depending on the distance between spectator and the object.

The know-how used in the stand design allows to plot the objects with a high level of complexity and to work with them on the non-specialized workstations.

It is also possible to hook up additional devices, which will ensure a tactile perception of operations and extend the functional capabilities of the stand.

Astro-navigational functional-simulating stand

Astro-navigational functional-simulating stand (AFSS) was designed in 1985 on the basis a space planetarium. It is composed of:

A planetarium;

A computer, controlling the training process;

A crew cockpit with actual consoles and instruments of the basic space vehicles, which are at the disposal of the domestic cosmonautics.

The main means for analysis and study of a celestial sphere is a space planetarium, which was put into operation in 1979. The diameter of the planetarium hall is 12,5 meters. Stars up to 6,5 stellar magnitudes can be generated there. The planetarium forms an illusion of observing a celestial sphere outside of the Earth's atmosphere, thus corresponding to the perception of an exterior visual situation and to observation of a starry sky in the actual space flight.

AFSS enables not only to generate and to project a stellar sky, but also to imitate a flight dynamics for different manned space vehicles, providing a movement of constellations in a field of view of windows with actual angular velocities. It is very effective means in training crews on attitude control and navigating with the help of stars position and by means of optical-and-visual instruments under conditions, which are close to the actual space flight.

AFSS generates 9000 stars. It also provides variation of angular velocities of the celestial sphere rotation around each of the gimbaled axes in the range from 0.002 to 5 deg/s with an error of simulation of angular distances between stars of 12' and of star brilliance of 20%.

Three principles form the basis for the stellar sky study:

Typical features and signs (Andromeda nebula, Magellanic clouds etc.);

Originality of constellations images (Lion, Southern Cross, Pegasus, Large Bear);

Mnemonic rules of location of constellations and stars around easy-recognizable constellations (Constellation of Crane is easily used for authentication of the alpha of Southern Pisces, alpha of Peacock, alpha of Eridanum etc.).

A trainee can find the images of 25-30 easily identified constellations by means of typical features and signs. As to the other constellations, they can be identified with the help of the mnemonic rules knowledge.

In addition to the cosmonaut training the AFSS is used for research, study and testing.