Neutral Buoyancy Test Facility & Virtual Reality Lab

Advanced Logistics Technology Engineering Centre [ALTEC]

Dr. Sarah Jane Pell, Prof. Melchiorre Masali and Ms. Irene Schlacht

Professional Visit to the Neutral Bouyancy Test Facility (NBTF) surveying the WET facilities, mission support centre controls and human resources at the Advanced Logistics Technology Engineering Centre, Torino IT to discuss the feasibility of Virtual Reality integration in the helmets for increased performance potentials.

Neutral Bouyancy Test Facility NBTF, Advanced Logistics Technology Engineering Centre ALTEC, Torino Italy

ALTEC Neutral Buoyancy Test Facility

Dr. Sarah Jane Pell, Prof. Melchiorre Masali and Ms. Irene Schlacht were guests of the ALTEC Advanced Logistics Technology Engineering Centre in Torino Italy. The professional visit included a comprehensive overview of the ALTEC facility in relation to the types of infrastructural, logistical, strategic and operational supports and services provided by the centre. It was most useful to have some background on the formation of ALTEC, their partners and customers, core business and future interests. Special thanks to Alessandro Bellomo and his staff for a tour of 'their baby': the Neutral Buoyancy Test Facility including the WET facilities, mission support centre controls and human resources were equally impressive. The scope for space-related and non-specific space but related applications and laboratories are numerous. It would be perfect for realising SubCulture Human Aqua Lab for instance.

Thales Alenia SpA, Virtual Reality Lab

Dr. Marinella Ferrino organised a special tour of the Thales Alenia SpA Virtual Reality Lab where student/contractors demonstrated their draft thesis version of a 3D model generator for galaxies and explained the Virtual Reality lab services and future capabilities. It was a rare opportunity to 'play' with the technology and see the progression of physical design factors referencing Prof. Massali's anthropological inputs and Ms. Schlacts Extreme Design. In the afternoon, we valued the opportunity to see various presentations in greater detail and to present our own research expertise: Extreme Design; Physical Anthropology: and Aquabatics: underwater analogue performance art. We were delighted to be joined by Mr. Armando Ciampolini and Mr. Mario Benassai who were able to share in the open forum of discussions and describe some of the future philosophies and activities central to the advancement of the space sector - particularly the human-related space sector - and the role of ALTEC with respect to this.

Dr. Sarah Jane Pell, Prof. Melchiorre Masali and Irene Schlacht were guests of the ALTEC Advanced Logistics Technology Engineering Centre in Torino Italy.

Neutral Bouyancy?

Astronauts undertake weightless environment training for the *effective weightlessness* of space in alterered gravity environments on Earth including Zero-Gravity chambers, Zero-Gravity (parabolic) flights or Pools referred to as Neutral Buoyancy Laboratories NBL (US) or Neutral Buoyancy Test Facilities NBTF (EU).

Virtual Reality?

Computer-simulated environments that can simulate physical presence in real and imaginary worlds. Most current virtual reality environments are primarily visual experiences, displayed either on a computer screen or through special stereoscopic displays, but some simulations include additional sensory information, such as sound through speakers or headphones. Some advanced, haptic systems now include tactile information, generally known as force feedback, in medical and gaming applications. Furthermore, virtual reality covers remote communication environments which provide virtual presence of users with the concepts of telepresence and telexistence.

WET VR?

Combining the technologies and experience of Weightlessness Environment Training (WET) and Virtual Reality (VR) to extend training capabilities in WET and DRI immersive environments.

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