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Virginia Tech

A comparison of spatial interpretations of NASA's payload operations control center, Marshall Space Flight Center, using real world and virtual reality observations

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

Virtual reality (VR) is the latest technique to be used in the ongoing search for experiential simulation methods for evaluation of environmental designs. The purpose of the study was to investigate the potential for using VR to evaluate interior environments. The objective was to investigate whether observation of a VR simulation provides the same information as observation of the existing environment. A sample of 24 NASA engineers and university faculty members observed the Payload Operations Control Center (POCC) at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Comparisons were made of observations of the actual POCC, a VR simulation, and a second VR simulation that was altered to test for ability to recognize changes. Participants evaluated the POCC for differences in general characteristics, object visibility, distance perception, ability to reach an object, and ability to share objects and conversation. Comparisons were analyzed using the Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test, and I tests. Findings revealed few differences among the real and the VR worlds. Changes to the virtual world were generally recognized.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Ph. D.
Level thesis:degree_level
doctoral
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Housing, Interior Design, and Resource Management
Department dc:contributor.department
Housing, Interior Design, and Resource Management
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
1996

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Lindsey, Patricia F.
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • McLain-Kark, Joan H.
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Bowker, Jeanette E.
  • Jones, Dennis B.
  • Lichtman, Marilyn V.
  • Parrott, Kathleen R.

Subjects

dc:subject × 5

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright
Language dc:language.iso
en

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
etd-11082006-133635
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/40292

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Lindsey, Patricia F.. A comparison of spatial interpretations of NASA's payload operations control center, Marshall Space Flight Center, using real world and virtual reality observations. doctoral thesis, Virginia Tech, 1996. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/40292