Shuttle Mission Simulator

High school (ages 12+)
Science & Technology

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/shuttle-mission-simulator

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the primary operational facility?Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas
2. What is the key simulation capabilities?Replication of Space Shuttle cockpit, flight dynamics, orbital mechanics, and emergency procedures
3. Why do astronauts use the simulator?It lets them practice every part of a shuttle flight, from launch to landing, so they learn how to control the vehicle and solve problems before going to space.
4. How has the simulator changed over time?It started with simple analog screens and basic computers, but later got better graphics, motion, and more realistic software as computers grew faster.

Orbital Mechanics: The study of the motion of objects in orbit around celestial bodies, governed by gravity.
Human-Computer Interaction (HCI): The study of how people design, implement, and use interactive computing systems.
Fidelity (in Simulation): The degree to which a simulation accurately represents the real-world system it is modeling.