NASA's Learning Technologies Project Office has started evaluating the development of a NASA-based massively multiplayer online educational game (MMO).
The above image is a screenshot from the freeware Orbiter Spaceflight Simulator
The US Army has had a similar video game-like promotional thing up and running for a number of years. Free to download from the website or you can buy versions for video game consoles, such as the advert below, you go through a virtual version of basic training, become a soldier and can play missions
However NASA's is probably going to be less combative, according to its request for information, "[the game] should simulate real NASA engineering and science missions in a medium that is comfortable and familiar to the majority of students in the United States today."
So no chance of a Hollywood style Deep Impact mission then? But perhaps we can expect to play at this mission?
I think that that is awesome. NASA needs to get less traditional methods of outreach. It is a much better thing to imagine than fighting as a soldier.
When the public embraces things like NASA's exploration programs, the world will move away from way. One thing that supporters can do is go to www.actionforspace.com and read the current legislation that is in the congress. Legislation like the space Prize Act and the Asteroid Preparedness Act. www.actionforspace.com has the full text of these acts and also direct links to contact the elected representatives.
go to www.actionforspace.com and have a positive impact on America's space policy!
I agree that this sort of video game is just what NASA needs and is a good way to engage young people.
My company, Vision Videogames has created the first simulator of the International Space Station created through a Space Act Agreement with NASA. We have also created SimCEV, the first simulator of the Orion vehicle to include astronaut artificial intelligence and are currently building SIMConstellation, a systems engineering and integration 3D visualization program for NASA.
We have submitted a response to NASA's RFI.
Best Regards,
Bill