Peter Carafano, M.Ed.
Associate Professor, Science Department
Florida State University Schools
The Origin of SFSI
 The space flight simulator instructional system (SFSI)
was developed through a grant research project funded
by the Florida Department of Education.
 The grant was awarded to the Science Department at
Florida State University Schools
 The focus of the grant was to develop two systems:
 A classroom based system that could be easily replicated
by science teachers in Florida
 A mobile space flight system which could be used
throughout the state to promote STEM
FSUS Mobile Space Flight Simulator Cockpit
FSUS Mission Control Training Center
Cloned Monitors Being Used In Mission Control
Program Goal
 Foster student interest in Science, Technology,
Engineering and Math (STEM)
 Improve problem solving and critical thinking
skills
 Provide for team building
 Demonstrate the practical application of math and
science
 Take advantage of virtual immersion to foster
student engagement
System Concept
 Patterned after flight simulators and their use to train
pilots and astronauts.
System Concept
 Provide a flexible simulation system that was not
overly complicated but still required student effort
for mastery.
 A simple, inexpensive system that could be easily
incorporated in the classroom with minimal
resources.
 A system that could be modified by the instructor
as needed.
 Necessary software required to operate the
program could be obtained for free.
Minimum Required Equipment
 Three to four computers or laptops with the
the ability to run PowerPoint
 A flight joystick
 Orbiter flight program
 SFSI PowerPoint multi-function display
presentations
 Reference material
 Shuttle switch control panels
 Flight operational checklists and emergency procedures
checklists
Basic Classroom Simulator Setup With Cloned Monitors
Commander
Mission Specialist
Mission Control
Pilot
SFSI Instructional system
 Students are divided into teams of five.
 Students practice performing flight
operations using the procedure checklists.
 Students train using desk top practice
sessions or the classroom simulator.
Classroom Astronauts
 Three students are responsible for the
operation of the space shuttle.
 Commander - They maneuver the space
shuttle and are in charge of the orbiter.
 Pilot - They assist the Commander in
controlling and operating the orbiter on a
space mission.
 Mission Specialist. They are assigned the
responsibility of reading off the pre-flight,
in-flight and landing checklists.
Classroom Astronauts
 Two students operate Mission Control.
 Monitor telemetry readouts of the shuttle
systems and confirm telemetry information with
the astronauts
 Monitor the flight checklist to ensure all steps
are completed
 In the event of an Emergency, they help the
shuttle crew identify the problem and then walk
them through managing the problem using the
Emergency Procedure checklist
Teaching Critical Thinking
 The most important component of the SFSI
system is:
 To help students learn how to problem
solve in situations that reflect real life
conditions
 Focus on the perspective that
a team approach works the best
Common Problems
with Teaching Problem Solving
 Either one or several students will take charge and
make all the decisions leaving some not involved in the
process.
 The students will not thoroughly think through the
problem and come up with a wrong answer.
 The group will become discouraged and give up and
wait for the teacher to give them the “right answer”.
 The group will come up with “any answer” just so they
can get finished and wait to hear what the “right
answer” was.
Basic Methods for Problem
Management
 Understand the problem
 Create a plan to address the problem using
a series of actionable steps
 Maintain motivation so
you don't give up or get
frustrated when it takes
a while to successfully
resolve the problem.
Why Use Virtual Simulation?
It’s All About Engagement!
SFSI – A three step process
 Step 1
 Have the students use the simulator to
perform normal flight operations as a
team.
 This process is practiceds as many times
as possible so that they are used to
working together and become confident
in each other abilities.
SFSI – A three step process
 Step 2
 Give them simple emergency situations that
they can solve using an emergency checklist.
 Have them practice various emergencies until
they are comfortable working together.
 Practice the procedure of:
1. Evaluate the problem
2. Determine the cause
3. Agree on a course of action
4. Evaluate the results
5. Mange the problem
SFSI – A three step process
 Third step
 Give them emergency situations that are not
covered by the emergency checklist
 Have the emergency involve systems that they
are familiar with.
 Have them use their understanding of how the
systems work, to develop several steps to solve
the problem and work together to mitigate the
emergency
How the Virtual System Works
Simulator System
 The space flight simulator system consist of two
separate programs.
 The “Orbiter” program which is run on the Mission
Commander computer.
 SFSI PowerPoint multi-function display
presentations which are separated into two systems
 The “Basic Control Panel Master” PowerPoint which is run
on the Pilots computer
 The “Mission Specialist Panel” PowerPoint which is run on
the Mission Specialist computer.
Orbiter
 Orbiter is a freeware space flight simulator
program developed to simulate spacecraft using a
realistic flight model.
 It was developed by Martin Schweiger PhD
 The goal was to provide a simulators with realistic
physics based flight models
 Orbiter has been used as a teaching aid in
classrooms, and a community of add-on
developers have created a multitude of expansion
capabilities.
Orbiter
 Windows 98/2000/XP/Vista/Win7
 1.2 GHz Pentium or equivalent processor
 512 MB system RAM
 DirectX 7 or newer
 DirectX compatible graphics card with 64 MB of
memory
 Approx. 120 MB free hard disk space for minimum
installation.
Orbiter
Orbiter (shuttle landing)
Orbiter (shuttle orbit)
SFSI PowerPoint
Multi-function Displays
 PowerPoint Presentations which have been set up,
using a standard format, to replicate a LCD cockpit
display
 The PowerPoint screen are timed to coincide with
the “Orbiters” Shuttle program once initiated
 They are completely editable and can be modified
to provide various emergencies or system
anomalies
SFSI PowerPoint
Multi-function Displays (Pilot)
SFSI PowerPoint
Multi-function Displays (Mission Spc.)
SFSI PowerPoint
Multi-function Displays
 An additional PowerPoint Presentations was
developed for the Mission control team
 This provides additional information in the
event “cloned” monitors are not available for
use.
SFSI PowerPoint
Multi-function Displays (Mission Comtrol)
Reference Material
 Space Flight Simulator Instructional System
Guide
 Complete system operational instructions
 Orbiter program installation instructions
 Shuttle switch control panels
 Flight operation checklists
 Emergency procedure checklists
Reference Material
Space Flight Simulator Instructional System Guide
Reference Material
Directory
Chapter 1
Space Simulator Instructional System
page 3
Chapter 2
Shuttle Flight Team
page 8
Chapter 3
Mission Control Team
page 22
Chapter 4
Emergency Conditions
page 25
Chapter 5
Instructor Recommendations
Appendix
page 30
A. Emergency Procedures
page 31
B. Mission Check Lists
page 47
C. Cockpit Normal Data screens
page 67
D. Cockpit Control Switch Diagrams
page 71
Glossary
page 78
Reference Material
Emergency Procedures
PAYLOAD BAY – FROM OPEN PAYLOAD BAY – FROM CLOSED
POSITION TO CLOSE
POSITION TO OPEN
1. Alarm system
-------- SILENCE
1. Alarm system
-------- SILENCE
2. Notification of
Mission Control -------- Confirm
2. Notification of
Mission Control -------- Confirm
3. BAY DOOR LCK set to RELEASE - Confirm
3. BAY DOOR
4. BAY DOOR
4. BAY DOOR LCK -------- LOCK
-------- OPEN
-------- CLOSE
5. Re-assess system
5. Re-assess system
6. BAY DOOR
6. Bay Door
-------- CLOSE
-------- OPEN
7. Initiate Bay Door Close program
7. Initiate Bay Door Open program
8. Re-assess system
8. Re-assess system
11
Reference Material
(The number identified next to a command represents the panel location)
C – Commander
P – Pilot
M – Mission Specialist
COM
TIME
PROCEDURE
Notes
1
T -HOLD
Test Left Pilot Audio COM
Test Right Pilot Audio COM
Test Left MSP Audio COM
Advise: Communication System test with
mission control
STAN
CABIN DOOR to CLOSE (2)
CABIN DOOR LOCK to LATCH (2)
Advise: Commander Confirms with
Confirm BAY DOOR to CLOSE (2)
mission control that the Side Hatch
Confirm BAY DOOR LOCK to LATCH (2) Is Closed & Locked
Confirm GEAR to UP (2)
Confirm LANDING GEAR to DISABLE (2)
Confirm CHUTE to DISARM (2)
Confirm SPEED BRAKE to OFF (2)
Start Launch Clock P - [space bar]
Reference Material
Reference Material
Resource Access
Astronaut Challenge Website
Reference Material Section
http://www.astronautchallenge.com/