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

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.