NESTOR VR: Nomads in the Solar System is a Virtual Reality project carried out by Carlos III University of Madrid, in collaboration with IGEO and REDESPA, funded by FECYT.
This project was born from the desire to increase the scientific interest of students from schools all over the world by means of first person exploration of Solar System scenarios so that they can learn about space science with new innovative teaching methods such as Virtual Reality. During the experience, students will be able to walk on the surfaces and scientific bases of the Moon, Mars and Europa (Jupiter’s Moon) while interacting with the environment, carrying out real astronaut missions and accesing specific information about the environment.
This project aims to bring science closer to society in an open and inclusive way. In addition, the Virtual Reality experience includes a geoethical perspective on the use of planetary resources in a similar way as on Earth (according to Goals and Targets 13, 14 and 15 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development).
INTERACT AND LEARN
What will you be able to do?
Planet Exploration
Walk on the Moon, Mars and Jupiter’s satellite Europa. Tour the dwellings and greenhouses of the moon bases, drive Rovers on their surfaces…
Have Fun Learning
Go to the various points of interest on the maps, where you can learn about the geology of the planets, their atmospheres, their curiosities…
Feel Like an Astronaut
Carry out various real astronaut missions. Collect soil samples, search for water or perform various types of analysis.
Virtual Reality is here to stay. This technology is set to be the great revolution of the 21st century, changing the rules of traditional teaching. Students will have the opportunity to attend classes and travel to the past, to the future and to other locations in the present in first person. Can you imagine being able to visit virtually any museum, go on excursions with your classmates and visit the Roman coliseum or the pyramids without leaving the school, have historical characters by your side and accompany them on their adventures? All this has become a reality. With NESTOR VR you can give your students the opportunity to learn planetary science and experience space adventures on a scale never seen before.
September 12th 2022
THE PROJECT STARTS
We start with the design and calendar planning for the development of the project NESTOR VR: Nomads in the Solar System. We launch our logo, website and social networks.
December 20th 2022
FIRST TEST WITH STUDENTS
8 students selected from various educational centres in the community of Madrid come to the Leganés campus of the Carlos III University to do the first tests of the Virtual Reality application. In it they can visit the space of the Moon, Mars and Europa (Jupiter’s satellite), and they can test the movement controls through the scenes. With these tests we collect direct feedback to make the application as interesting as possible for the students.
March 23th 2023
SECOND TEST WITH STUDENTS PART I
The second on-site test takes place with the selected students. In this test, they will be able to visit the Jupiter satellite Europa, where they can take an interactive tour of its surface, and visit the Apollo 15 landing site on the Moon, where they will be able to visit and tour the facilities of a lunar base. They really liked the experience and have given us feedback to correct certain features of the application and more ideas to implement! Furthermore, two of our scientific experts, Jesús Martínez-Frías, Marta Moure Cuadrado and Sara Guerrero Aspizua, were present in the meeting.
March 24th 2023
VISIT TO THE CASTILLA LA-MANCHA SCIENCE MUSEUM
We are welcomed at the Science Museum of Castilla La-Mancha by the director Isabel Buleo Espada and the astronomer José María Sánchez, who will test the Virtual Reality application and see its development. Thank you for the welcome and for your time!
March 24th 2023
SECOND TEST WITH STUDENTS PART II
We welcomed the second group of students at the Leganés Campus of the Carlos III University of Madrid. Like the previous day, they took an amazing trip to Jupiter’s satellite Europa and learned about its science. They also took a trip to the Hadley Rille area, the landing site of Apollo 15.
March 27th 2023
VISIT TO THE PLANETARIUM OF MADRID
We visited the Madrid Planetarium and met its director, Telmo Fernández Castro. In this magnificent facility in the capital, we were able to show him and the other workers the development of the project, and we talked about the interesting open days that are eventually held to teach space science to children.
MaY 10th 2023
VISIT TO THE EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY
We visited the CESAR (Cooperation through Education in Science and Astronomy Research) program team at ESA’s facilities located in Villanueva de la Cañada, Madrid, to show them the development of the project. Thank you for receiving us!
june 30th 2023
PROJECT COMPLETION
The final application of NESTOR VR: Nomads in the Solar System is completed after meeting and checking that all design requirements have been met.
Who We Are?
Alfredo Escalante Lopez
Worker at ESA supporting the scientific operations of Solar System exploration missions. Researcher of the applications of Deep Learning algorithms in space navigation and collaborator in the Exploration VR.
Sara Guerrero Aspizua
Lecturer in the Department of Bioengineering at UC3M. Postdoctoral researcher in rare skin diseases and cancer (TERMEG). Experience in scientific dissemination and communication.
Jesus Martinez-Frias
Expert in Planetary Geology and Astrobiology. Research Scientist at IGEO (CSIC-UCM), Honorary Professor UC3M. Founder and president of REDESPA and member of the science teams of NASA and ESA missions.
Marta Moure Cuadrado
PhD in Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Organization by the UC3M. Assistant Professor at the Aerospace Engineering Area of the URJC. Research in the mechanical behavior of advanced materials and experimental tests.
Christian Perez Nicolas
Graduate in aerospace engineering from the University of León, with a master’s degree in space engineering from UC3M. Developer of virtual reality applications.
Manuel Sanjurjo Rivo
PhD in Aerospace Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Madrid. Full Professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid.
“Houston, we have a problem… We want to implement this Virtual Reality App in our center to enhance the learning curve“
Contact with us!
CONTACT
Address
Avenida de la Universidad 30, Leganés 28911 (Madrid) España
Phone
+34 916 248 222
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