Virtual reality, augmented reality and its potential use case in space engineering

The present article explores the potential and usefulness of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies in space engineering. VR is a realistic, interactive 3D computer-created world that you can explore as if you really are there. In this work, we explored VR technology usage in space borne systems and engineering. Usually, designers use native mechanical design software like CATIA and CREO to design and analyse various systems and subsystems. System designers must also analyse system interfaces, intricacies, and alignments from all angles in an interactive and immersive fashion to foresee and avoid potential issues. Therefore, an in-house virtual reality solution is developed to understand a complex engineering sub-system/system; its assembly, dis-assembly; sectional views and perform 360-degree analysis of system/sub-systems by direct interaction in a virtual environment. This technical paper also explores the use of AR technology for various users to understand intricate engineering models and assist the crew members remotely, even in case of unavailability of proper communication. The AR application is equipped with interactive simulations and demonstrations, enabling engineers to manipulate and investigate 3D models in a mixed-reality environment. Application is designed in a generalized way to take any complex engineering model as an input. The contribution of this work to the field of space technology lies in its innovative approach and in-house developments to visualize and interact with complex models through VR and AR-based solutions.