Evolution of aerospace simulation: From immersive Virtual Reality to serious games

In this paper we provide a retrospective overview of the evolution of simulation hardware and software technologies, beginning from the early days of the NASA VIEW Virtual Reality system, the European Space Agency´s first steps in exploring the capabilities and limitations of immersive technologies for visualization and training, and developments underpinning the delivery of the first interactive 3D model of the Roscosmos Virtual Mir Space Station. Today´s best practice, latest developments and future concepts of human-in-the-loop (HITL) simulation for the aerospace industry will be presented. The paper discusses additional findings relating to the exploitation and testing of a range of recent VR and serious games applications of relevance to aerospace research, development, education and training in the UK and Russia and seeks to define those issues demanding urgent consideration.