GVIS Lab at NASA Glenn Research Center History

In 1982, a $ 20 million supercomputer was brought to NASA Glenn. NASA Glenn scientists became more and more dependent on computer simulations to test their experiences. Progress of computer technology has enabled a different type of test environment – the one that revolves around virtual models and data in relation to physical observation. The advantages of this method included a reduction in costs, a reduction in the associated risk, a faster turnaround and more data.

But this method of experimentation has created a problem: with the number of data points somewhere in the millions, it was a challenge for scientists to start looking at their own data collected. In short, there was simply too much data to analyze. To solve this problem, NASA Glenn has built the Interactive Research Engineering System (ICARE) in the Center’s Research Analysis Center.

Taking several parts, made up of 22 workstations in total and costing a large total of $ 20 million, the Icarus system was a means for scientists to examine their data thanks to the visualizations of the superordinators. Using graphic and modular methods, Icarus visualizations have revealed information and shared so as not to correspond to traditional methods.

The construction and implementation of the Icarus system have been revolutionary from the center and NASA as a whole. Before 1982, NASA already had an interest established for powerful computers; However, the Icarus system took NASA into the era of the supercalculculcul. Icarus has also drawn increased attention to the value and power of scientific visualization.

In 1989, it was time for an upgrade. NASA Glenn wanted the latest scientific visualization technology and techniques for its scientists, so the center has widened the research analysis center to make way for the new graphics and visualization laboratory (GVIS). GVS Lab’s advanced graphic technology has acquired advanced equipment, including studio quality animation and recording equipment, stereographic displays and image processing systems. Later, the 1991 high performance computer law provided funds and opportunities to add IT at high speed, virtual reality and collaborative visualization to its tool fleet.

During this period, the GVIS laboratory was responsible for helping scientists from NASA Glenn who needed help to view their data. The laboratory has also been responsible for inventing new visualization techniques and promoting NASA Glenn activities, visits, videos and other awareness programs. Some of the techniques developed by the laboratory included monitoring of particles, iso-surface contours and volume visualization. The guests were schoolchildren, corporate VIPs, local and national politicians, television media and researchers from other national laboratories. Using recording and cutting -edge editing equipment, the GVE laboratory regularly shared work inside and outside NASA.

While other laboratories and researchers have started to access their own scientific visualization tools, the GVE laboratory has moved its objective to experiment with virtual visualizations based on reality and augmented.

Today, the GVIS laboratory has the same mission as in 1989: apply the latest visualization and human interaction technologies to advance NASA missions. The team is proud to push the limits of scientific visualization and computer science, to help colleagues researchers understand their data and to inspire the next generation through demonstrations and presentations. Calculation technology has traveled a long way since the Icarus era, but Gvis continued to explore current and advanced technologies.

In addition to scientific visualization and experimental calculation technologies, the GVIS laboratory is now also specialized in virtual design, interactive 3D simulations, the development of natural user interface, IT applications and mission scenarios visualizations. The team uses the latest edition of 3D programs and VR devices to experiment with the way these systems can be used to view the data, by pushing their input and output capacities.

With all this technology, GVIS also supports the visualization of a wide variety of 3D data and models such as CAD, punctual clouds and volume data. In addition, the laboratory is capable of visualizing data with high impact, web visualization, precise data representation and design and test of CAO models in virtual reality.

Apart from the laboratory, GVIS has a long history of providing technological events across the city, throughout the country and in the world. The team has a large experience in the organization, presentation and facilitation of educational awareness -based awareness for a variety of different events and places. Inside the laboratory, GVIS supports the education and career exploration of its high school and college trainees thanks to mentoring, community engagement opportunities and access to advanced technology.

Need to join us? You can send an e-mail directly to the GVIS team (grc-dl-gvis@mail.nasa.gov) or to the team leader, herb schilling (hschilling@nasa.gov).