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Step inside NASA's astronaut training simulators

Jon Turi
Former Homepage Editor
Updated ·4 min read
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Next weekend, theater-goers will watch astronaut Mark Watney battle to survive on the red planet in The Martian. Meanwhile, the Mars One initiative whittles down a list of Earth dwellers to journey to the very same planet by 2020. In a hostile and alien environment like Mars, it takes knowledge, preparation and practice to survive. You can't just, as Watney put it, "science the shit out of this" if you don't have a clue what to expect. To honor past orbital pioneers and future planetary explorers, we look at some of the simulators and mockups that real astronauts used in preparation for launching themselves off this blue orb and into the well-studied, yet unpredictable vastness of space.

Vomit Comet

Astronauts practiced zero-g maneuvers as part of the training for Project Mercury manned space flights scheduled between 1961 and 1963. They flew in a C-131 Samaritan plane, which entered a vertical climb and leveled out providing 15 to 25 seconds of zero gravity. The sensation turned a few stomachs, earning it the nickname of the
NASA

Astronauts practiced zero-g maneuvers as part of the training for Project Mercury manned space flights scheduled between 1961 and 1963. They flew in a C-131 Samaritan plane, which entered a vertical climb and leveled out providing 15 to 25 seconds of zero gravity. The sensation turned a few stomachs, earning it the nickname of the "vomit comet."

One small step for man

In preparation for lunar excursions, astronauts used this harness to simulate reduced gravity at the Impact Dynamics Research Facility (formerly the Lunar Lander Research Facility) in Virginia.
NASA

In preparation for lunar excursions, astronauts used this harness to simulate reduced gravity at the Impact Dynamics Research Facility (formerly the Lunar Lander Research Facility) in Virginia.

On approach

The Lunar Orbit and Let-down Approach Simulator built at Langley Research Center was one of many projects created to prepare Apollo astronauts for a visit to the moon.
NASA

The Lunar Orbit and Let-down Approach Simulator built at Langley Research Center was one of many projects created to prepare Apollo astronauts for a visit to the moon.

Setting the stage

In order to prep astronauts for a visit to the lunar surface in 1969, a large-scale version of the terrain was also built.
NASA

In order to prep astronauts for a visit to the lunar surface in 1969, a large-scale version of the terrain was also built.

Lunar escape

After exploring the moon's surface, astronauts had to be prepared for the flight back to their mother ship. The Rendezvous Docking Simulator area included this training rig for perfecting a stable liftoff.
NASA

After exploring the moon's surface, astronauts had to be prepared for the flight back to their mother ship. The Rendezvous Docking Simulator area included this training rig for perfecting a stable liftoff.

Revolution

In 1960, the multiple-axis space test inertia facility (aka
NASA

In 1960, the multiple-axis space test inertia facility (aka "the gimbal rig") helped pilots learn to control and stabilize flight vehicles, while experiencing tumble-type maneuvers encountered in space.

Spin cycle

The Ames Research Center in California is home to the 20G centrifuge, which helps evaluate and study the effects of advanced gravitational forces (up to 20 times that of Earth) on astronauts.
NASA

The Ames Research Center in California is home to the 20G centrifuge, which helps evaluate and study the effects of advanced gravitational forces (up to 20 times that of Earth) on astronauts.

Shuttle pilot

By 1980, a flight simulator arrived to help pilots get acclimated to the controls of the new space shuttle, which first launched a year later as STS-1.
NASA

By 1980, a flight simulator arrived to help pilots get acclimated to the controls of the new space shuttle, which first launched a year later as STS-1.

Glass cockpit

In 1999, NASA outfitted its Space Shuttle mission simulator with a Multifunction Electronic Display Subsystem (MEDS) known as the
NASA

In 1999, NASA outfitted its Space Shuttle mission simulator with a Multifunction Electronic Display Subsystem (MEDS) known as the "glass cockpit." The Space Shuttle Atlantis was the first to have this technology installed and launched in 2000 as STS-101.

Kicking the tires

Astronauts practice a launch in an Orion capsule mockup to provide feedback on the cockpit's new instrumentation and control layout.
NASA

Astronauts practice a launch in an Orion capsule mockup to provide feedback on the cockpit's new instrumentation and control layout.

Asteroid belt

The Active Response Gravity Offload System (ARGOS) at JSC uses cranes to simulate microgravity environments by reducing object weight in a variety of situations, such as the surface of an asteroid...
NASA

The Active Response Gravity Offload System (ARGOS) at JSC uses cranes to simulate microgravity environments by reducing object weight in a variety of situations, such as the surface of an asteroid...

Active Response Gravity Offload System (ARGOS)
NASA

...walking in a lunar-like gravity...

Active Response Gravity Offload System (ARGOS)
NASA

...walking in a lunar-like gravity...

Test flight

Astronauts practice in the Multi-Mission Space Exploration Vehicle (MMSEV) simulator at the Johnson Space Center. This is the in-space version of the vehicle, which allows astronauts to operate in a pressurized
NASA

Astronauts practice in the Multi-Mission Space Exploration Vehicle (MMSEV) simulator at the Johnson Space Center. This is the in-space version of the vehicle, which allows astronauts to operate in a pressurized "shirt sleeves" environment.

Test drive

As part of NASA's Desert Research and Technology Studies (RATS), astronauts learn to drive a land-based Space Exploration Vehicle (SEV) over sparse terrain.
NASA

As part of NASA's Desert Research and Technology Studies (RATS), astronauts learn to drive a land-based Space Exploration Vehicle (SEV) over sparse terrain.

Freewheelin'

The motorized segment of the SEV can also detach from the pressurized capsule, allowing astronauts to casually explore areas in the vehicle while suited up.
NASA

The motorized segment of the SEV can also detach from the pressurized capsule, allowing astronauts to casually explore areas in the vehicle while suited up.

Waterworld

At the JSC Sonny Carter Training Facility's Neutral Buoyancy Lab, astronauts can suit up and experience a simulated zero-gravity situation while underwater. Here they have a full-size mockup of the ISS in one of the world's largest indoor pools containing 6.2 million gallons of water.
US Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Larry Simmons

At the JSC Sonny Carter Training Facility's Neutral Buoyancy Lab, astronauts can suit up and experience a simulated zero-gravity situation while underwater. Here they have a full-size mockup of the ISS in one of the world's largest indoor pools containing 6.2 million gallons of water.

Repair practice

In this environment, astronauts can also practice repair maneuvers on satellites like this Hubble Space Telescope simulator.
NASA

In this environment, astronauts can also practice repair maneuvers on satellites like this Hubble Space Telescope simulator.

Virtual space

Astronauts Clayton Anderson and Rick Mastracchio, STS-131 mission specialists, use virtual reality hardware to rehearse duties planned for their ISS visit.
NASA

Astronauts Clayton Anderson and Rick Mastracchio, STS-131 mission specialists, use virtual reality hardware to rehearse duties planned for their ISS visit.