Live Simulations Featuring:

FSI: Tranquility Base

What Is a Live Simulation?

A live simulation features:

• Authentic NASA data, images, and science aligned with NASA’s mission directorates (Aeronautics Research, Science, Exploration Systems, and Space Operations).

• Students solving real-world problems in real-time.

• A team-based, critical-thinking, interactive context to complete the mission directive.

• Contact with a flight director through videoconferencing.

Scenario

• The year is 2037, and NASA has established a lunar outpost named Tranquility Base.

• The 10 astronauts now living at Tranquility Base are performing a wide variety of research, such as testing fuel efficiencies for upcoming space travel.

Your Mission

• Every two weeks the astronauts perform a routine check to record radiation, micrometeoroid, and thermal data from each of the modules. They also perform fire drills during this time.

• During this fire drill you will analyze simulated data from several sensors that had been installed in storage facility A.

Scenario

• Teams of 8-10 students will analyze data and try to determine the cause of the simulated fire.

• The specialists will use a fire simulator to help them decide: 1. The initial conditions (parameters) when the fire started. 2. The substance or material that caused the fire.

• The specialists will compare the results of the simulator with data coming from the fire drill scene.

The Fire Simulator

• The specialists enter and test a set of possible initial parameters that might have led to the fire.

• The parameters the specialists test include volume, oxygen, heat release, and fire source.

• Because actual fires involve more conditions (parameters) than the four tested by the simulator, the simulator generates seven different possible results.

• The specialists must continue manipulating the conditions (parameters) until the simulator results seem to match the actual fire data.

Team Preparation

• Members of each team will work as a specialist or expert in one of four roles: 1. Investigation2. Oxygen analysis3. Carbon dioxide analysis4. Communications

• Your team selects different initial parameters of the fire and runs the simulator.

• Your team compares the results of each set of conditions (parameters) and decides which set is closer to the real results coming from the base.

Investigation Specialist

1. Determine values of the conditions (parameters) for the fire simulator.

2. Communicate these conditions (parameters) to the oxygen and carbon dioxide specialists.

3. At the end of the mission, you will decide which set of conditions caused the fire.

Oxygen Analysis Specialist

1. Calculate the mean, mode, and median and then graph a box-and-whiskers plot for each run of the fire simulator.

2. Provide valuable input on which value is the best measure of central tendency for the oxygen data.

Carbon Dioxide Specialist

1. Calculate the mean, median, and mode and then graph a box-and-whiskers plot for each run of the fire simulator.

2. Provide expert advice on which value is the best measure of central tendency for the carbon dioxide data.

Communications Specialist

1. Make sure there is a steady flow of information to and from mission control to each team.

2. Relay written and oral reports for every set of parameters of the simulations.

3. Use the videoconferencing and computer software and a microphone to communicate verbally with mission control. You will ask mission control questions and answer theirs.

Quick Review: Box-and-Whiskers Plot

Data representing heat rate released by two fires over five minutes:

• What is the highest heat rate reported on the second set of data?

• What is the median on the first set of data?

• What is the first quartile on the second set of data?

• Which set of data is more consistent (meaning thatthe heat release rate is more uniform)?

Data 2

Data 1

Getting Ready

Prepare your team for the simulation by:

• Reviewing the descriptions for your jobs.

• Reading your team’s instructions and assigning tasks.

• Practicing with the online tools.

• Discussing the communication flow within the team.

Good luck on your mission!