Boeing teams up with Varjo on virtual reality training for Starliner space taxi

Boeing software engineer Connie Miller tries out the Varjo virtual-reality system to control a computer-generated Starliner space taxi. (Varjo / Boeing Photo)

Boeing isn’t due to start flying NASA crews to the International Space Station until next year, but in the meantime, astronauts can steer a computer-generated Starliner space taxi with the aid of Varjo’s virtual-reality headsets.

• Flnland-based Varjo announced today that Boeing will use its VR-2 headsets to augment more traditional simulator sessions in preparation for Starliner’s first crewed flight. Starliner is designed with the capability of flying itself, but the craft is also equipped with a joystick and other controls in case astronauts have to take manual control.

• Astronauts can use the virtual-reality system to rehearse an entire mission — from pre-launch to docking, and from undocking to landing. Varjo’s VR system allows the astronauts to train remotely without having to go to a fixed-site simulator. They can even train in their quarters during the two-week pre-launch quarantine period.

• Varjo VR-2 isn’t the only extended-reality system that’s been used for aerospace applications: Microsoft’s HoloLens augmented-reality headset has come into play on the space station as well as in Boeing manufacturing facilities down on Earth.

More from GeekWire:

• Boeing’s Starliner space taxi fails to reach its intended orbit for first space station trip

• NASA and Boeing trace roots of Starliner’s bad timing — and prepare for landing

• Boeing bounces back with successful test of Starliner space taxi’s propulsion system

• NASA and Boeing lay out time frame for reviewing Starliner’s flawed flight and planning next steps