NASA Mission Simulation and Data Visualization Environment
While a NASA contractor at Valador, Inc., I created asset development pipelines for use with 3D engines. During that time I was asked to support the creation of a collaborative online system for NASA that would be used to visualize engineering data and plan long duration space missions. The Distributed Observer Network (DON) was created for the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate (ESMD) at Kennedy Space Center.
Working with a development team I strategized the backend architecture and communications protocol, designed the user interface and implemented the user experience for the DON. This system included text and voice chat, an environment selection lobby, user notes, and dvr-like controls for simulation playback. The backend included a 32-node distributed simulation engine, interoperability with the NASA Dynamic Onboard Ubiquitous Graphics (DOUG) platform, and was used to facilitate distribution of simulation data throughout all NASA centers.
The DON was nominated for NASA Software of the Year, and the team I was a member of received several NASA awards for our contributions to NASA technology development.
The following video served as a user guide for the DON: