Recently, nasa launched a MarsXR challenge on the crowdfunding platform HeroX, asking participants to build elements and scenarios of virtual reality to help NASA astronauts conduct future extravehicular research on the martian ground.
NASA MarsXR Challenge
XR, or Extended Reality, can be translated as extended reality, refers to a combination of real and virtual, human-computer interaction environment generated by computer technology and wearable devices.
MarsXR is a virtual reality (VR) simulator developed by NASA in collaboration with commercial partners Buendea and Epic Games, built using Epic Games' Unreal Engine 5 (UE5). The simulator can be used to simulate life on Mars and harsh Martian environments, including day-night Martian days, changing weather conditions, Martian gravity environments, Mars rovers, and terrain of more than 400 square kilometers.
NASA said that by developing a realistic Mars simulator, it will be possible to prepare astronauts for future extravehicular activities on Mars.
As a partner in this project, Buendea is a team dedicated to innovating breakthrough real-time graphics technologies for use in XR scenarios, training, and education. Epic Games, the game production team, announced in April 2022 that Unreal Engine 5 was officially launched and opened for download, and domestic game companies such as Tencent, Mihayou, Game Science, and Perfect World have also become its partners.
"Developers can use the Unreal Engine to create realistic simulations that help PREPARE NASA for future missions, whether it's going to the moon or Mars." Seb Loze, Head of Virtual Engines at Epic Games, said: "Whether you're a game designer, architect, hobbyist or rocket scientist, anyone can build with UE5, and we can't wait to see the immersive Mars simulations launched by the community."
Image from crowdfunding platform HeroX
The aforementioned competition is open to adults over the age of 18 and can be attended by individuals or groups. 20 participants will be selected as winners to share in a prize of $70,000.