Simulators

SpaceCanada · Post by **SpaceCanada** » Mon May 31, 2004 4:33 pm

This post was originally in "The Hab" forum, but I figure it would prove useful to individuals who would like more information about camp before they go:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This information is for informative purposes only. Please do not copy it for a report or whatever you may be using it for. Most, if not all, of this information can be found in the camp handbook or on the Space Camp website. I am merely providing a quick overview of the simulators and briefings for those who are curious...

Advanced Academy Briefings vary with the different tracks:
SCUBA Orientation
Shuttle Basics
Rocketry
Naviagtion Systems (Pilots)
Space Medicine (old PS)
Careers in Space
... I have the whole list at home...

Very simple/basic explainations you can build off of:
(someone correct me if I'm wrong, or if you want more information I can get it to you if you send me a PM.)

G-Force is a centrifuge that generates centrifugal/centrifical forces to simulate 3 times the force of gracity. Basically, it feels like you're standing on Jupiter. (Research centrifuges for more information.)

Space Shot accelerates you into the air using air pressure. When you stop accelerating upwards, and when you start to free-fall, you experience microgravity.

The MAT, as described in the movie, Space Camp, is three concentric circles rotating in different directions. This simulates a spacecraft falling out of control. You cannot get dizzy on the MAT because you never spin the same direction twice in a row. You also cannot get an upset stomach from the MAT because your stomach is strategically placed at the centre of the simulator, essentially never moving. In fact, the forces from the MAT pull things back into your stomach, thus preventing anything ever coming out... (lovely thought, isn't it?)

1/6th gravity chair uses springs on the ceiling to counteract the forces of Earth's gravity. The springs are arranged in such a way that it simulates walking on the Moon.

Five Degrees of Freedom simulator uses a mechanism similar to an air hockey table so that it floats on a thin layer of air. This thin layer of air allows one to effortlessly move across the floor, demonstrating Newton's law of physics: every action has an equal and oposite reaction. Oh yeah, and it rotates ina bunch of other directions for the 5 degrees... (Research 'degrees of freedom' for more information)

UAT uses buoyancy to counteract gravity. Using standard SCUBA equipment and BCDs one can adjust the buoyancy so that it completey counteracts the effects of gravity. Thus, you will not sink, nor will you float. This simulates microgravity.

There are also the Intrepid, Enterprise, Space Station, and MOCR simulators, although those are merely locations where missions are carried out.

Carrie · Post by **Carrie** » Sat Nov 20, 2004 7:33 pm

I can't speak for UAT, because we didn't use it in the weekend program, but Space Shot has to be one of the coolest rides I've been on anywhere. I think part of why it seemed so thrilling was because I was expecting it to be one of those rides where they bring you to the top and drop you, and it was kind of the opposite. I don't normally scream on rides, but when that thing went up, I let out a big "yeaaaaaahhhh"! And we almost didn't have time to go on it...in fact, it was only because a few of us were leaving so late on that Sunday that we had time.

stargazer0105 · Post by **stargazer0105** » Sat Nov 20, 2004 9:45 pm

if i could dive it would probably be my favorite, but since i can't my vote goes to the mat.

meg · Post by **meg** » Sat Nov 20, 2004 10:47 pm

oh, diving's the best. *enormous grin!*

spacecampaddict28 · Post by **spacecampaddict28** » Sat Nov 20, 2004 11:01 pm

Besides diving, riding space shot 17 (i think thats right) times in a row was pretty fun

Carrie · Post by **Carrie** » Sun Nov 21, 2004 9:36 am

I feel your pain, Stargazer...I just read last night in one of these threads that you can't scuba if you're diabetic, and I am...

I kind of expected that, though...oh well, I still want to go back to Adult Advanced, and I'll probably still choose MS, because I want to do the EVA. I didn't get the chance to do that this time, and I did get to be Commander, so I've kind of done the pilot thing. The extra pilot training at AC sounds cool, though, and since I can't scuba, it may be more fun than swimming at the top of the tank??? Decisions, decisions... -C

17 times on Space Shot? Whoa...cool...

spacecampaddict28 · Post by **spacecampaddict28** » Sun Nov 21, 2004 11:54 am

oooh it was fun we made lots of hand signs and a couple of times we threw stuff off but the guy there was nice.

and then there was the time i cracked on this guys mom and he totally convinced me she had died and then i felt bad....but he was joking. that was the space shot operator guy....

psych0rabbit · Post by **psych0rabbit** » Sat Mar 26, 2005 1:00 pm

The UAT was the best!! It was soo much fun! The first time I went I was the only payload specialist that could dive because many of them had medical issues or couldn't get the hang of using the dive equipment. I'm a quick learner, lol. It's a lot of fun. Happy Turtle!!!!

meg · Post by **meg** » Sun Mar 27, 2005 11:31 am

yay for happy turtles!

shenandoah04 · Post by **shenandoah04** » Mon Mar 28, 2005 9:30 pm

SCUBA was fun, and though the first time we went that week, I was really scared, I finally started to get the hang of it (before we actually went down)- when a thunderstorm hit and we had to get out of the water. Then I got nervous unconciously, and thought I was all ready to go for the time we had rescheduled it for. NOPE. We had to go through all the in-water-but-not under-it training again, and that's when my body decided to hyperventilate, and I had to go to sick bay. So I never dove.

I'm so far the only one to put the 1/6th Gravity chair. !!!?

The MAT was fun too, and I was stuck between it and the gravity chair. What I remember most about the MAT was the first year I went, I got on it, and a guy from my team, Greg, yelled out, "Your hair is gonna get caught in it!" since at the time it went to below my waist and was flinging all over the place. For some odd reason I guess it wasn't in a ponytail...

meg · Post by **meg** » Mon Mar 28, 2005 11:39 pm

yeah, that hyperventilating thing really sucks. lol.

psych0rabbit · Post by **psych0rabbit** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 12:20 am

I was a bit worried about my hair getting caught in the MAT my second year. I had it in a pony tail the first time, but I took it down the second year. It flew everywhere, lol. Though it's not to my waist.

Space Nerd · Post by **Space Nerd** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 12:56 am

My first year (when my hair was long) i was scared my hair would get caught, it didnt. I no longer ride the MAT because i get headaches/neck aches from having my head tossed around. I love the 1/6th chair but it just doesnt compare to the UAT for me.

MAYTAG · Post by **MAYTAG** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 11:20 am

wow all of you people talking about this...
ive never done scuba, ive been a pilot every time and i love it, although ms does look pretty fun

psych0rabbit · Post by **psych0rabbit** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 1:26 pm

Scuba is AWSOME!! I was a ps first year and ms the second. I thought about going back a third and doing pilot, but I'm going to New Zealand to visit a friend instead. As much as I'm looking forward to it, I'm a little sad that I won't be returning.

tennisrox014 · Post by **tennisrox014** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 1:40 pm

i wish i could do scuba, that is one of the things i wish there was a reason to do at AC. it looks like a lot of fun.

Space Nerd · Post by **Space Nerd** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 8:13 pm

Uhhh SEALs learn scuba! There i figured out a way for AC to incorporate it.

Although they dont really do a whole lot of flying... Eh... Close enough. I almost got certified once but i didnt have enoug money so that kinda died. It's very fun though.

tennisrox014 · Post by **tennisrox014** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 8:44 pm

haha. next time at AC ill just wear my swimming suit to lunch and sneek away and join the ASAers scuba diving. it shall be fun.

MAYTAG · Post by **MAYTAG** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 9:24 pm

there we go its gotta become part of seal ops now im sure that will go over soooooo well

lol

coffeediver · Post by **coffeediver** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 10:21 pm

Space Nerd wrote:Uhhh SEALs learn scuba! There i figured out a way for AC to incorporate it. Although they dont really do a whole lot of flying... Eh... Close enough. I almost got certified once but i didnt have enoug money so that kinda died. It's very fun though.

The idea has been addressed before. Short version, SEAL Ops at AC shouldn't even exist. Long version, SEALs don't SCUBA as you know it. They use closed circuit rebreather systems (Dragers) and combat dives really ever exceed 30'.

Simulators

What is your favourite simulator?

Simulators