14 SEP. 2023
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ESA is currently preparing for space travel beyond Earth's orbit by integrating eXtended Reality (XR) technologies, which encompass Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Mixed Reality (MR).
Established in 2015, ESA's European Astronaut Centre introduced the XR lab to harness the potential of XR technologies for astronauts, instructors, developers, researchers, and operators.
Within the XR lab, a range of VR applications have been developed. These applications are designed to train astronauts in operating the International Space Station's robotic arm, familiarising themselves with the layout of the station, and conducting spacewalks in space or on other planets. Additionally, the XR lab supports a medical training programme as an integral part of the basic medical training provided to ESA astronauts.
Looking ahead to upcoming missions, such as those involving the Lunar Gateway, the XR lab employs VR technology to aid in the design and evaluation of the lunar space station. The lab also recreates lunar landscapes for robotic missions and outreach endeavours and brings to life architectural renderings of future construction projects.
In the future, the XR lab will also study technologies like vibrotactiles and exoskeletal devices to enhance training, as well as virtual rover operations and MR telemedicine support for astronaut flight surgeons.
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JIVE
ESA-DLR LUNA regolith test bed area operations
Gateway Review And Virtual Interior Tools for Astronaut Systems (GRAVITAS)
PANGAEA VR training tool
AR medical training at the European Astronaut Centre
Virtual Reality On-Board Training at the European Astronaut Centre
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Mixing realities for lunar exploration
Mixing realities for lunar exploration
A virtual tour of Marcus’s space home
A virtual tour of Marcus’s space home
Virtual reality brings ESA’s Argonaut Moon lander to life
A team of students and researchers are using virtual reality (VR) to bring ESA’s Argonaut lunar lander concept to life at the European Astronaut Centre.Argonaut is a lunar lander that will deliver scientific instruments and cargo to the Moon at the end of this decade. Interns and scientists involved in the simulations are part of ESA’s Extended Reality (XR) laboratory, German Aerospace Centre DLR and the Spaceship EAC initiative.
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Related links
ESA Astronaut Selection
ESA astronauts
In 1998, ESA Member States participating in the International Space Station (ISS) programme decided to unite their respective astronaut teams with the existing ESA core team to form a single European Astronaut Corps. This integration process was completed in 2002.
Training
Based at the European Astronaut Centre (EAC), ESA’s Space Training Team ensures all European astronauts are well prepared for missions to the International Space Station and equipped for the next phase of space exploration.
Space Medicine
Astronauts face many health challenges when living and working in space, including the impacts of microgravity, radiation and isolation.
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