Barco Monitor Replacement Projectors Upgrade Shuttle Mission Simulators at NASA-JSC
Xenia, Ohio – Sept 30, 2002. Among the specialized Space Shuttle mission training facilities at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston Texas, the Shuttle Mission Simulators (SMS) – one motion based and two fixed - are the primary systems for training Space Shuttle crews. The SMS count two orbiter cockpits, each equipped with the identical controls, displays and consoles of an actual orbiter. The first two systems have been completed on the fixed base simulators with an additional motion based upgrade scheduled for the end of 2002.
In a major upgrading program to enhance reliability and subsequent availability of the trainers to train astronauts as necessary, BARCO-EIS Monitor Replacement Projectors (MRP™) were chosen by Glass Mountain Optics (GMO). This most recent delivery to NASA represents a mid life upgrade for the SMS program to replace failing, obsolete 26" monitors and will keep the space shuttle simulator operational for the next ten years as required to support the International Space Station (ISS).This major simulator upgrade includes the replacement of six 26" monitors on each of the three simulators. Each monitor will be replaced with Barco Monitor Replacement Projectors (MRPs) and will include a custom mechanical interface to mate the MRPs to the existing optical system.. Newly equipped with BARCO-EIS MRPs, this simulator is now described as the only high-fidelity simulator capable of training crews for all phases of a mission beginning at T-minus 30 minutes.
"The BARCO EIS MRP™ performance exceeds that of the replaced monitors, as it features a truly spherical screen and provides a larger image than the older 26" CRT displays. The shape of the screen offers nearly-uniform collimation that results in much greater viewing volume,” said Hernan Rodriguez, BARCO-EIS Simulation Director of Sales. “The true black levels achieved through Barco’s MRP’s using advanced CRT technology, reach a dynamic contrast range of
10,000: 1. This capability is particularly important when simulating true night time scenes as they occur in space.”
BARCO-EIS MRP™ projectors offer high added value as they allow upgrading a simulator’s visual system, while still using the original expensive wide angle collimated (WAC) window optical systems and the facilities existing motion base. So there is no need for major simulator remodeling expenses. BARCO-EIS state-of-the-art raster-calligraphic projection systems for full flight simulation and related markets are installed and in active service in at least 27 countries.
As flights by Atlantis and Endeavour will haul more than 50 tons of additional components to the International Space Station and more than three dozen new experiments and two new laboratory racks, Barco is proud that its MRP upgrade path for simulators integrated in the SMS NASA Simulator, is contributing to train the crew to assure that missions are proceeding as planned and provide the expertise needed to deal with the unanticipated.
Barco Simulation Products Background
Barco Simulation Products develops high-performance visual display products and solutions for flight simulators, ship bridge simulators, mission rehearsal simulators and entertainment applications. Active on a worldwide scale - with main offices in Xenia (Ohio, US) and Kuurne (Belgium) and with sales & support offices in Europe, North & South America, Asia and the Middle East - Barco Simulation Products has gained an international reputation for its cutomer-driven application engineering and projection system optimization know-how. Drawing upon its expertise in projection technologies, color calibration, opto-electronics and mechanics, Barco Simulation Products and its partners provide the solution to meet any simulation and V&AR requirement.
