Virtual Laboratory Expands nasa Research

NASA has successfully concluded tests on a computer­generated virtual laboratory that will allow researchers, located anywhere in the world, to study potentially dangerous aircraft and spacecraft situations without risking human life.

The lab can enable research organizations to collaborate long­distance without having to be physically present at the world’s larg­est flight simulator at Ames Research Center, California. It could also be used by universities, research laboratories and industry to develop a wide variety of products beyond the aerospace field. Fu­ture uses of the laboratory being considered include designing new spacecrafts and training astronauts.

The simulator is able to move airplane and spaceship cockpits in all directions, including 60 feet vertically and 40 feet horizon­tally. There are five interchangeable cockpits that are used to simu­late the Space Shuttle, helicopters, airplanes and other aerospace vehicles.

The simulator creates a convincing environment for a pilot and is controlled by computers programmed to represent each aircraft proposed.

Computers calculate correct aircraft response when a pilot changes simulator cockpit controls. In real time, responses by the simulator include cockpit motion, images in the windshield, sounds and control readouts. Simulations are monitored from the control lab at ARC. The virtual laboratory and the «world» it cre­ates exist partly in computer memory and other physical gear.

Recently, astronauts made simulated Space Shuttle landings using a huge motion simulator at ARC while NASA engineers in Houston monitored the sessions using the three-dimensional «world» that includes video screens, computer video, two-way video conferencing, remote data access and a pilot’s out-the- window scene.

2. Выберите для выделенных в тексте А слов правильные значения.

1. reaction d. work in partnership

2. view e. compartment for the pilot

3. make larger f. apparatus, mechanism

2. Замените в предложении выделенный глагол другим глаголом с тем же значением.

1. A new system enables researchers to carry out complicated tests.

2. Engineers have completed their research in the aerospace field.

3. A huge simulator provides the condition of real operations in flight.

4. Virtual lab helps us learn how to better use cockpit controls.

5. A pilot can move aeroplane in all directions.

2. Заполните пропуски, образуя составные слова, общеизвестные слово­сочетания и термины. Запомните их.

remote ... space

long ... aerospace

... shuttle ... screen

air ... conference

... memory human ...

out-the-window ... ... access

... world wind ...

research ... time

E. Заполните таблицу на словообразование.

Verb	Noun	Person	Adjective
• • •	organization	• • •	• • •
direct	9 9 9	• • ♦	• • ♦
• • •	9 9 9	collaborator
999	9 9 9	9 9 9	local
• • •	simulation	9 9 9
represent			...

F. Образуйте от выделенных слов существительное, прилагательное или наречие и заполните пропуски.

physics

1. It is ... impossible to be in two places at once.

2. ... is an expert dealing with matter and energy.

3. Mechanical laws and Newtonian ... are very important for creating virtual systems.

4. The equivalent of clip art for virtual reality designers might be ... systems.

possibility

5. What will make the virtual reality design system of tomorrow...?

6. Is there any ... of your taking part in virtual reality confer­ence this year?

7. If we throw an object, it flies across the room, ... hitting an­other object and causing a complex chain of events as objects crash into each other.

success

8. Virtual reality can have great... in many ways, especially in experimenting.

9. Recent... tests of the world’s largest simulator enable scien­tists to do research in education, management and industry.

10. Astronauts have ... simulated Space Shuttle landings.

potential

11. Virtual lab helps researchers simulate ... complicated flight situations.

12. Our country has great... raw resources.

13. It has not realized its full ... yet.

Упражнение 4. Составьте возможные словосочетания глаголов из колон­ки А и существительных из колонки В.

В

A

1. 1. simulate

2. complete

3. collaborate

4. withstand

5. succeed in

6. cover

7. make

8. overcome

9. deliver

10. carry

11. fly

12. open

13. find

14. guide

solving a problem

the distance

passengers

a pilot, an airplane

the conditions of flight

loads to remote regions

at a speed

a new era, age

stresses, high temperatures j. landings, calculations

k. problems, difficulties 1. long-distance

m. destination, use, application n. research, tests, study

Упражнение 5. А. Назовите 15-20 ключевых слов и словосочетаний на тему: «Aircraft of today, its safety, reliability, speed and comfort».

B. Speak about:

Virtual reality and its application in aerospace field.