From: Toni Emerson <"temerson"@hitl.washington.edu>
Subject: APPS: Virtual Reality Control Station
Date: Mon, 29 Jul 1996 13:03:22 -0700
Organization: Human Interface Technology Lab



I found this email on the WWW, thought it would be of
interest to the group

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http://ccf.arc.nasa.gov/dx/basket/storiesetc/vrmarexs.html

Astrogram, 7-26-96, NASA Ames Research Center Employee
Newspaper

Virtual Reality Control Station Developed for Exploring Mars 

By Daryl Rasmussen 

Ames is introducing an interactive, virtual reality "Trip to Mars,"
which uses real imagery obtained 20 years ago during the Viking
mission.

Using a virtual reality control station, scientists, students,
educators and the public will be able to experience and explore Mars
by approaching it from space, flying over terrain and hovering at the
original Viking 1 lander site. The breathtaking realism is due to user
interaction, 3-D viewing (using special stereo vision eyeware),
narration and sound effects.

NASA hopes to install this as a permanent exhibit at the National Air
and Space Museum in Washington, DC. In the interim, it was used in
mid-July in conjunction with the celebration of the 20th Anniversary
of the landing of Viking on Mars.

NASA collaborated extensively with California industry and federal
partners in the creation of this exciting and educational
exhibit. Sense8 Corp. of Mill Valley provided the WorldToolKit
simulation software tools.  The company plans to demonstrate the
exhibit at SIGGRAPH in August.  Stereo Graphics Inc. of San Rafael
provided the Crystal Eyes stereo eyeware. Silicon Graphics
Inc. provided the Onyx Reality Engine 2 computer. They plan to
incorporate the exhibit as part of their corporate virtual reality
showcase, the Visionarium.