Based on an agreement with the European Space Agency (ESA), PaleBlue starts developing a VR training simulator for astronaut training in Zero Gravity.

Within this project, the International Space Station (ISS) is reproduced as a virtual 3D model, where groups of astronauts use VR to perform simultaneous training.

In the photo above, inside the ESA Columbus module: Felix Gorbatsevich and Pascal Serrarens of PaleBlue, and Rüdiger Seine (Astronaut Training Head), Lionel Ferra (ESA XR Lab) and Matthias Maurer (Astronaut) of ESA.

This project will allow PaleBlue and ESA to visualize navigation inside the ISS in Zero-G conditions. The project contains cutting-edge research and development. PaleBlue has been selected for this project based on the unique capabilities of the company’s Simulation Platform, allowing for collaborative training in VR, where participants can connect from around the world to the same simulation scene.

Lionel Ferra, the ESA ODF Manager & XR Lab HRE-OT, said “VR/AR are strategic domains for ESA Human and Robotics Exploration. The European Astronaut Centre is delighted to kick-off this project with PaleBlue to optimally represent Zero-G in VR and put it in context within an accurate photorealistic representation of the inner parts of ISS. This project will be highly useful for several other ESA human spaceflight missions making use of VR as training or design technology.”

The project is partially funded by the Norwegian Space Agency.

The solution is to have unique features, powered by the PaleBlue Simulation Platform: full-body human modeling, hand interaction, and voice communication. In February 2020, PaleBlue and ESA took a full-day workshop at the European Astronaut Centre (EAC) in Cologne, Germany. Following this visit, Felix Gorbatsevich, the Managing Director of PaleBlue, said: “We are thrilled to contribute to space exploration. What started with PaleBlue company name bearing a reference to the famous Pale Blue Dot photograph of the Earth from space, came to be a realization of today’s simulation and training tools for the aerospace industry.”

About PaleBlue
PaleBlue is an Industrial VR company, which has established a unique set of capabilities within 3D, VR, and multi-user experiences, used in simulation training environments. The company builds on 20+ years experience track of building 3D and training simulation systems for the energy industry, including crane training, underwater robot simulators, drilling operation simulators, and more. 

About EAC
The European Astronaut Centre (EAC) was established in 1990 and is located near Cologne, Germany. EAC has established itself as a center of excellence for astronaut selection, training, medical support, and surveillance, as well as support of astronauts and their families through preparation for and during flight.

About ESA
The European Space Agency is an intergovernmental organisation of 22 member states dedicated to the exploration of space.