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Google DeepMind and historians created an AI tool called Aeneas that can predict the missing words in Latin inscriptions carved into stone walls and pottery sherds from the ancient Roman Empire.

Claims that a small-brained hominin called Homo naledi buried its dead raise intriguing questions about ancient minds and why we engage in this peculiar practice

A 247-million-year-old fossil reptile boasted an enormous crest on its back made from feather-like appendages, long before the appearance of feathered dinosaurs

Claims that a small-brained hominin called Homo naledi buried its dead raise intriguing questions about ancient minds and why we engage in this peculiar practice

A 247-million-year-old fossil reptile boasted an enormous crest on its back made from feather-like appendages, long before the appearance of feathered dinosaurs

With fast heating, sheets of gold can shoot past the theoretical maximum temperature a solid can have before it melts – raising questions about what the true limits are

With fast heating, sheets of gold can shoot past the theoretical maximum temperature a solid can have before it melts – raising questions about what the true limits are

As the Sun approaches the most active part of its eleven-year magnetic cycle this summer, NASA volunteers have been watching it closely. Now they’ve spotted a new trend in solar behavior that will have you reaching for your suntan lotion. It’s all about something called a “Type II” solar radio burst:

“Type II solar radio bursts are not commonly detected in the frequency range between 15 to 30 megahertz,” said Prof. Chuck Higgins, Co-founder of Radio JOVE. “Recently, we’re seeing many of them in that range.”

Let’s unpack that. Our Sun often sprays powerful blasts of radio waves into space. Heliophysicists classify these radio bursts into five different types depending on how the frequency of the radio waves drifts over time. “Type II” solar radio bursts seem to come from solar flares and enormous squirts of hot plasma called coronal mass ejections.

Now, Thomas Freeman, an undergraduate student at Middle Tennessee State University, and other volunteers working on NASA’s Radio JOVE project have observed something interesting about these Type II bursts: they are now showing up at lower frequencies—somewhere in between FM and AM radio. 

What does it mean? It means our star is full of surprises! These Radio JOVE observations of the Sun’s radio emissions during solar maximum can be used to extend our knowledge of solar emissions to lower frequencies and, therefore, to distances farther from the Sun. 

Radio JOVE is a NASA partner citizen science project in which participants assemble and operate radio astronomy telescopes to gather and contribute data to support scientific studies.  Radio JOVE collaborated with SunRISE Ground Radio Lab,  organized teams of high school students to observe the Sun, and recently published a paper on these Type II solar radio bursts. Learn more and get involved!  

A Type II solar radio burst on April 23rd, 2024, seen as the gently sloping yellow band drifting from 17:49 to 18:02 UTC in the 15-30 MHz radio frequency-time spectrogram. Credit: Tom Ashcraft, Lamy, NM Share

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Last Updated

Jul 23, 2025

Related Terms

• Citizen Science
• Heliophysics

Explore More

2 min read Bring NASA Science into Your Library!

Article


2 days ago

4 min read NASA to Launch SNIFS, Sun’s Next Trailblazing Spectator

July will see the launch of the groundbreaking Solar EruptioN Integral Field Spectrograph mission, or…

Article


6 days ago

6 min read NASA’s TRACERS Studies Explosive Process in Earth’s Magnetic Shield

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7 days ago

As the Sun approaches the most active part of its eleven-year magnetic cycle this summer, NASA volunteers have been watching it closely. Now they’ve spotted a new trend in solar behavior that will have you reaching for your suntan lotion. It’s all about something called a “Type II” solar radio burst:

“Type II solar radio bursts are not commonly detected in the frequency range between 15 to 30 megahertz,” said Prof. Chuck Higgins, Co-founder of Radio JOVE. “Recently, we’re seeing many of them in that range.”

Let’s unpack that. Our Sun often sprays powerful blasts of radio waves into space. Heliophysicists classify these radio bursts into five different types depending on how the frequency of the radio waves drifts over time. “Type II” solar radio bursts seem to come from solar flares and enormous squirts of hot plasma called coronal mass ejections.

Now, Thomas Freeman, an undergraduate student at Middle Tennessee State University, and other volunteers working on NASA’s Radio JOVE project have observed something interesting about these Type II bursts: they are now showing up at lower frequencies—somewhere in between FM and AM radio. 

What does it mean? It means our star is full of surprises! These Radio JOVE observations of the Sun’s radio emissions during solar maximum can be used to extend our knowledge of solar emissions to lower frequencies and, therefore, to distances farther from the Sun. 

Radio JOVE is a NASA partner citizen science project in which participants assemble and operate radio astronomy telescopes to gather and contribute data to support scientific studies.  Radio JOVE collaborated with SunRISE Ground Radio Lab,  organized teams of high school students to observe the Sun, and recently published a paper on these Type II solar radio bursts. Learn more and get involved!  

A Type II solar radio burst on April 23rd, 2024, seen as the gently sloping yellow band drifting from 17:49 to 18:02 UTC in the 15-30 MHz radio frequency-time spectrogram. Credit: Tom Ashcraft, Lamy, NM Share

• 
  
  
• 
  
  
• 
  
  
• 
  
  

Details

Last Updated

Jul 23, 2025

Related Terms

• Citizen Science
• Heliophysics

Explore More

2 min read Bring NASA Science into Your Library!

Article


2 days ago

4 min read NASA to Launch SNIFS, Sun’s Next Trailblazing Spectator

July will see the launch of the groundbreaking Solar EruptioN Integral Field Spectrograph mission, or…

Article


6 days ago

6 min read NASA’s TRACERS Studies Explosive Process in Earth’s Magnetic Shield

Article


7 days ago

Physicists superheated gold to 14 times its melting point, disproving a long-standing prediction about the temperature limits of solids

As large language models like Claude 4 express uncertainty about whether they are conscious, researchers race to decode their inner workings, raising profound questions about machine awareness, ethics and the risks of uncontrolled AI evolution

The 2024 YR4 asteroid may come close to Earth, but how do experts calculate this potential impact?

Our galaxy will make for a particularly splendid sight on the dark nights surrounding the new moon phase on July 24.

The Moon photographed from the International Space Station, pictured in between exterior International Space Station hardware (Credit: NASA).

NASA is seeking proposals from U.S. companies about innovative Moon and Mars proximity relay communication and navigation capabilities as the agency aims to use private industry satellite communications services for emerging missions.

On July 7, NASA issued a Request for Proposals, soliciting advanced industry concepts to establish high-bandwidth, high-reliability communications infrastructure between the lunar surface and an Earth-based operations control center, along with concepts that establish a critical communications relay on the Martian surface and transfer data between Mars and the Earth.

“These partnerships foster important advancements in communications and navigation,” said Greg Heckler, deputy program manager for capability development within NASA’s SCaN (Space Communications and Navigation) Program. “It allows our astronauts, our rovers, our spacecraft – all NASA missions – to expand humanity’s exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond.”

NASA’s request directly supports the agency’s long-term vision of an interoperable space communication and navigation infrastructure that enables science, exploration, and economic development in space. NASA, as one of many customers, will establish a marketplace that supports cost-effective commercial services involving communication needs on and around the Moon and Mars.

Responses are due by 5 p.m. EDT, Wednesday, Aug. 13.

NASA’s SCaN Program serves as the management office for the agency’s space communications and navigation. More than 100 NASA and non-NASA missions rely on SCaN’s two networks, the Near Space Network and the Deep Space Network, to support astronauts aboard the International Space Station and future Artemis missions, monitor Earth’s weather, support lunar exploration, and uncover the solar system and beyond.

Learn more about NASA’s SCaN Program at:

https://www.nasa.gov/scan

News Media Contact:
Claire O’Shea
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1100
claire.a.o’shea@nasa.gov

The Moon photographed from the International Space Station, pictured in between exterior International Space Station hardware (Credit: NASA).

NASA is seeking proposals from U.S. companies about innovative Moon and Mars proximity relay communication and navigation capabilities as the agency aims to use private industry satellite communications services for emerging missions.

On July 7, NASA issued a Request for Proposals, soliciting advanced industry concepts to establish high-bandwidth, high-reliability communications infrastructure between the lunar surface and an Earth-based operations control center, along with concepts that establish a critical communications relay on the Martian surface and transfer data between Mars and the Earth.

“These partnerships foster important advancements in communications and navigation,” said Greg Heckler, deputy program manager for capability development within NASA’s SCaN (Space Communications and Navigation) Program. “It allows our astronauts, our rovers, our spacecraft – all NASA missions – to expand humanity’s exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond.”

NASA’s request directly supports the agency’s long-term vision of an interoperable space communication and navigation infrastructure that enables science, exploration, and economic development in space. NASA, as one of many customers, will establish a marketplace that supports cost-effective commercial services involving communication needs on and around the Moon and Mars.

Responses are due by 5 p.m. EDT, Wednesday, Aug. 13.

NASA’s SCaN Program serves as the management office for the agency’s space communications and navigation. More than 100 NASA and non-NASA missions rely on SCaN’s two networks, the Near Space Network and the Deep Space Network, to support astronauts aboard the International Space Station and future Artemis missions, monitor Earth’s weather, support lunar exploration, and uncover the solar system and beyond.

Learn more about NASA’s SCaN Program at:

https://www.nasa.gov/scan

News Media Contact:
Claire O’Shea
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1100
claire.a.o’shea@nasa.gov

4 Min Read GRUVE Lab The CAVE in the GRUVE Lab is capable of running highly immersive VR experiences through powerful projectors, mirrors, an infrared motion tracking system, and active-shutter glasses. Credits: NASA About

The GRUVE (Glenn Reconfigurable User-Interface and Virtual Reality Exploration) Lab is located within the GVIS Lab. It is home to the CAVE, which is predominantly used for mission scenarios and to tour virtual environments of NASA facilities.

GRUVE Lab VisualizationUsers virtually explore a facility at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland.NASA GRUVE Lab DemonstrationA user analyzes a visualization of a prototype structure.NASA GRUVE Lab VisualizationA user analyzes a visualization of a prototype structure that will be used for a fire experiment on the Moon.NASA GRUVE Lab VisualizationA Graphics and Visualization Lab (GVIS) intern in the Cave Automatic Virtual Environment (CAVE).NASA GRUVE Lab TourA user takes a virtual tour of a facility at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland.NASA How GRUVE Works

GRUVE allows multiple people to view a visualization in 3D together. These visualizations include 3D models of NASA facilities and intricate images created from collected data. 

Powerful projectors and mirrors, in combination with an infrared motion tracking system and active-shutter glasses, allow viewers to view 3D models and data in perfect perspective. 3D models effectively pop off the screen and remain proportional no matter where the user with the pair of tracking glasses moves in the environment. 

The CAVE can be driven by either a Windows or Linux computer system, enabling the team to use the best environment for a given problem and software tool. 

The CAVE setup immerses the user in 3D visualizations through walls on all sides, projectors from above, tracking cameras, and mirrors hidden behind the facade.Visbox, Inc. Benefits of GRUVE

The CAVE’s technology provides a unique advantage for researchers, scientists, engineers, and others. Seeing and analyzing forces and data that would otherwise not be viewable to the human eye allows the observer to understand their subject matter in more detail. 

Benefits of GRUVE to research include: 

• Providing an immersive environment: with large screens to fill peripheral vision and stereoscopic projection for a real sense of three-dimensional space, more parts of the brain are engaged, and the user is better able to understand problems and solve them faster 

• More effective collaboration: the ability to see each other in the virtual reality environment makes GRUVE better for collaboration than traditional VR technology 

• Seeing complex data and flows in 3D: this makes it easier for both experts and non-experts to understand the data 

• Providing greater resolution and larger display size: this allows details to be displayed without losing their context 

• Delivering faster and more accurate manipulation and viewing of models, including CAD data, with fewer errors: this results in a faster time to market and less re-work 

All members of NASA Glenn may use GRUVE for their projects.

Applications of Immersive 3D Environments

• Fluid dynamics analysis (CFD) 

• Point cloud data, e.g., LiDAR 

• Virtual design reviews 

• Virtual manufacturing testing 

• Computer Aided Design (CAD) 

• 3D imaging data 

• Training and education 

• Virtual procedures 

• Biomedical research 

• Molecular dynamics 

• Virtual building walkthroughs 

• Showroom “theater” 

• Education and outreach 

• Building Information Management (BIM) 

• Big data and data mining 

• Cybersecurity data analysis 

• Safety systems analysis 

• Microfocus CT scan data 

• Electron microscopy 

• 3D photos and videos 

Data Types Supported

• Point cloud data 

• Volume data 

• Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) 

• Computer Aided Design (CAD) 

• Molecular dynamics 

GRUVE Hardware 

• Linux CAVE node 

• Windows 10 CAVE node 

• CAVE wall 

• Stereo glasses 

• Audio system 

• Tracking system 

• Wand 

Software Available in the GRUVE Lab 

• The Windows node attached to the GRUVE Lab runs middleware software, which enables Unity-developed applications to run in the CAVE. This greatly expands the number of VR applications that can be run. 

• Vrui VR Toolkit-based applications such as LiDAR viewer and 3D visualizer 

• VMD – Visual Molecular Dynamics 

• ParaView 

• COVISE– Collaborative Visualization and Simulation Environment

Other Visualization Devices

The GVIS Lab maintains a large collection of computing, visualization, and user interaction devices including: 

• Virtual reality display devices 

• Head-mounted displays 

• Room-scale CAVE 

• Augmented reality head-mounted displays 

• 3D displays 

• Psuedo-3D displays 

• Pepper’s Ghost display 

• Persistence of Vision (POV) LED display 

• Light field technology- based displays 

• Projection devices for projected AR 

• Natural user interface devices 

• Hand gesture recognition devices 

• Motion capture devices 

• Cameras for mixed reality 

• Computing hardware 

• High-end laptops 

• High-end desktops 

• High-end tablets and smartphones 

• Cameras 

• Stereo 3D camera 

• 180/360 camera 

• Flight simulators 

• 3D printers 

All these devices are available for employees to try and test for possible application to their work. 

A Graphics and Visualization Lab (GVIS) intern in the Cave Automatic Virtual Environment (CAVE).NASA Contact Us 

Need to reach us? You can send an email directly to the GVIS Team (GRC-DL-GVIS@mail.nasa.gov) or to the team leader, Herb Schilling (hschilling@nasa.gov). 

Share

Details Last Updated Jul 23, 2025 LocationGlenn Research Center Related Terms

• Glenn Research Center
• NASA Centers & Facilities

Explore More 5 min read NASA Advances Pressure Sensitive Paint Research Capability Article 3 weeks ago 1 min read Gateway Space Station in 3D Article 11 months ago 5 min read Augmented Reality Speeds Spacecraft Construction at NASA Goddard Article 1 year ago Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA

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NASA at Home: Virtual Tours and Apps

4 Min Read GRUVE Lab The CAVE in the GRUVE Lab is capable of running highly immersive VR experiences through powerful projectors, mirrors, an infrared motion tracking system, and active-shutter glasses. Credits: NASA About

The GRUVE (Glenn Reconfigurable User-Interface and Virtual Reality Exploration) Lab is located within the GVIS Lab. It is home to the CAVE, which is predominantly used for mission scenarios and to tour virtual environments of NASA facilities.

GRUVE Lab VisualizationUsers virtually explore a facility at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland.NASA GRUVE Lab DemonstrationA user analyzes a visualization of a prototype structure.NASA GRUVE Lab VisualizationA user analyzes a visualization of a prototype structure that will be used for a fire experiment on the Moon.NASA GRUVE Lab VisualizationA Graphics and Visualization Lab (GVIS) intern in the Cave Automatic Virtual Environment (CAVE).NASA GRUVE Lab TourA user takes a virtual tour of a facility at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland.NASA How GRUVE Works

GRUVE allows multiple people to view a visualization in 3D together. These visualizations include 3D models of NASA facilities and intricate images created from collected data. 

Powerful projectors and mirrors, in combination with an infrared motion tracking system and active-shutter glasses, allow viewers to view 3D models and data in perfect perspective. 3D models effectively pop off the screen and remain proportional no matter where the user with the pair of tracking glasses moves in the environment. 

The CAVE can be driven by either a Windows or Linux computer system, enabling the team to use the best environment for a given problem and software tool. 

The CAVE setup immerses the user in 3D visualizations through walls on all sides, projectors from above, tracking cameras, and mirrors hidden behind the facade.Visbox, Inc. Benefits of GRUVE

The CAVE’s technology provides a unique advantage for researchers, scientists, engineers, and others. Seeing and analyzing forces and data that would otherwise not be viewable to the human eye allows the observer to understand their subject matter in more detail. 

Benefits of GRUVE to research include: 

• Providing an immersive environment: with large screens to fill peripheral vision and stereoscopic projection for a real sense of three-dimensional space, more parts of the brain are engaged, and the user is better able to understand problems and solve them faster 

• More effective collaboration: the ability to see each other in the virtual reality environment makes GRUVE better for collaboration than traditional VR technology 

• Seeing complex data and flows in 3D: this makes it easier for both experts and non-experts to understand the data 

• Providing greater resolution and larger display size: this allows details to be displayed without losing their context 

• Delivering faster and more accurate manipulation and viewing of models, including CAD data, with fewer errors: this results in a faster time to market and less re-work 

All members of NASA Glenn may use GRUVE for their projects.

Applications of Immersive 3D Environments

• Fluid dynamics analysis (CFD) 

• Point cloud data, e.g., LiDAR 

• Virtual design reviews 

• Virtual manufacturing testing 

• Computer Aided Design (CAD) 

• 3D imaging data 

• Training and education 

• Virtual procedures 

• Biomedical research 

• Molecular dynamics 

• Virtual building walkthroughs 

• Showroom “theater” 

• Education and outreach 

• Building Information Management (BIM) 

• Big data and data mining 

• Cybersecurity data analysis 

• Safety systems analysis 

• Microfocus CT scan data 

• Electron microscopy 

• 3D photos and videos 

Data Types Supported

• Point cloud data 

• Volume data 

• Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) 

• Computer Aided Design (CAD) 

• Molecular dynamics 

GRUVE Hardware 

• Linux CAVE node 

• Windows 10 CAVE node 

• CAVE wall 

• Stereo glasses 

• Audio system 

• Tracking system 

• Wand 

Software Available in the GRUVE Lab 

• The Windows node attached to the GRUVE Lab runs middleware software, which enables Unity-developed applications to run in the CAVE. This greatly expands the number of VR applications that can be run. 

• Vrui VR Toolkit-based applications such as LiDAR viewer and 3D visualizer 

• VMD – Visual Molecular Dynamics 

• ParaView 

• COVISE– Collaborative Visualization and Simulation Environment

Other Visualization Devices

The GVIS Lab maintains a large collection of computing, visualization, and user interaction devices including: 

• Virtual reality display devices 

• Head-mounted displays 

• Room-scale CAVE 

• Augmented reality head-mounted displays 

• 3D displays 

• Psuedo-3D displays 

• Pepper’s Ghost display 

• Persistence of Vision (POV) LED display 

• Light field technology- based displays 

• Projection devices for projected AR 

• Natural user interface devices 

• Hand gesture recognition devices 

• Motion capture devices 

• Cameras for mixed reality 

• Computing hardware 

• High-end laptops 

• High-end desktops 

• High-end tablets and smartphones 

• Cameras 

• Stereo 3D camera 

• 180/360 camera 

• Flight simulators 

• 3D printers 

All these devices are available for employees to try and test for possible application to their work. 

A Graphics and Visualization Lab (GVIS) intern in the Cave Automatic Virtual Environment (CAVE).NASA Contact Us 

Need to reach us? You can send an email directly to the GVIS Team (GRC-DL-GVIS@mail.nasa.gov) or to the team leader, Herb Schilling (hschilling@nasa.gov). 

Share

Details Last Updated Jul 23, 2025 LocationGlenn Research Center Related Terms

• Glenn Research Center
• NASA Centers & Facilities

Explore More 5 min read NASA Advances Pressure Sensitive Paint Research Capability Article 3 weeks ago 1 min read Gateway Space Station in 3D Article 11 months ago 5 min read Augmented Reality Speeds Spacecraft Construction at NASA Goddard Article 1 year ago Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA

Want to Go on a Simulated Mission to the Moon?

Aeronautics STEM

Glenn University Student Design Challenges

NASA at Home: Virtual Tours and Apps

4 Min Read GVIS History As part of NASA Glenn’s Scientific Computing and Visualization Team, the GVIS Lab has a storied visual and technological history.  Credits: NASA GVIS: the ICARE Era

In 1982, a $20 million supercomputer was brought to NASA Glenn. Scientists at NASA Glenn were becoming increasingly reliant on computer simulations to test their experiments. Advancements in computer technology allowed a different type of testing environment — one that revolved around virtual models and data over physical observation. The benefits of this method included a decrease in costs, a decrease in associated risk, faster turnaround, and more data.

High Definition Video System (HDVS)A High Definition Video System (HDVS) in the early Graphics and Visualization Lab (GVIS). NASA High Definition Video System (HDVS) in the LabNASA employee in early Graphics and Visualization Lab (GVIS) setup, containing High Definition Video Systems (HDVS). NASA Early Graphics and Visualization Lab (GVIS)Early Graphics and Visualization Lab (GVIS) setup, which housed original analog processing hardware. NASA Cray 1-S/2200 SupercomputerThe original Cray 1-S/2200 Supercomputer in the Research and Analysis Center in 1982.NASA

But this method of experimentation created a problem: With data-point counts somewhere in the millions, it was a challenge for scientists to even begin to look at their own collected data. In short, there was simply too much data to be analyzed. To solve this problem, NASA Glenn built the Interactive Computer Aided Research Engineering system (ICARE) in the center’s Research Analysis Center.  

Taking up several rooms, consisting of 22 total workstations, and costing a grand total of $20 million, the ICARE system was a way for scientists to examine their data through the aid of supercomputer visualizations. Using both graphical and modular methods, ICARE’s visualizations revealed and shared information in ways that traditional methods could not match. 

The construction and implementation of the ICARE system was revolutionary to both the center and NASA as a whole. Before 1982, NASA already had an established interest in powerful computers; however, the ICARE system took NASA into the era of supercomputing. ICARE also brought increased attention to the value and power of scientific visualization. 

Original Processing HardwareOriginal analog Graphics and Visualization Lab (GVIS) processing hardware.NASA ICARE RoomAn ICARE room in the Research and Analysis Center. NASA 1980s VisualizationA typical 1980s visualization at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland.NASA GRAPH3DGRAPH3D was an innovative technology in the 1980s that supported shaded surfaces and had a rich set of user-friendly commands.NASA The Creation of GVIS

In 1989, it was time for an upgrade. NASA Glenn wanted the latest scientific visualization technology and techniques for its scientists, so the center expanded the Research Analysis Center to make room for the new Graphics and Visualization Lab (GVIS). The GVIS Lab acquired cutting-edge graphics technology, including studio-quality TV animation and recording equipment, stereographic displays, and image processing systems. Later, the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 provided funding and opportunities to add high-speed computing, virtual reality, and collaborative visualization to its fleet of tools.

The secure supercomputing space that would eventually become the Graphics and Visualization Lab (GVIS), shown in 1989.NASA

During this period, the GVIS Lab was responsible for assisting NASA Glenn scientists who needed help visualizing their data. The lab was also tasked with inventing new visualization techniques and promoting NASA Glenn’s activities though tours, videos, and other outreach programs. Some of the techniques the lab developed included particle tracking, iso-surface contours, and volume visualization. Tour guests included school children, corporate VIPs, local and national politicians, TV news media, and researchers from other national labs. Using state-of-the-art recording and editing hardware, the GVIS Lab regularly shared work both inside and outside of NASA.   

As other labs and researchers began to gain access to their own scientific visualization tools, the GVIS Lab shifted its focus to experimenting with virtual reality- and augmented reality-based visualizations.

Jay HorowitzJay Horowitz saw the Graphics and Visualization Lab (GVIS) through its creation and early years at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. NASA Cray X-MP-2 SupercomputerThe Cray X-MP-2 Supercomputer that replaced the 1-S. NASA Early Research and Analysis CenterThe Research and Analysis Center pre-expansion. NASA Research and Analysis CenterThe Research and Analysis Center after the expansion. The Graphics and Visualization Lab (GVIS) is in the upper left corner. NASA Lewis Advanced Cluster Environment (LACE)The Advanced Computational Concepts Lab’s (ACCL) Lewis Advanced Cluster Environment (LACE) in 1993. NASA Mobile Aeronautics Education Laboratory (MAEL) VR Flight SimulatorSetup showing location of the various equipment used in the Mobile Aeronautics Education Laboratory (MAEL) VR Flight Simulator.NASA Mobile Aeronautics Education Laboratory (MAEL) VR Flight SimulatorMAEL (Mobile Aeronautics Education Laboratory) trailer’s flight simulator supported multi-screen panoramic views or head-tracked Head Mounted Displays (HMDs). NASA WrightSimApollo 13 flight director Gene Kranz watches Jim Lovell pilot WrightSim. NASA 100 Years of Flight Gala CelebrationJohn Glenn talks to a Graphics and Visualization Lab (GVIS) programmer during the 2003 “100 Years of Flight Gala Celebration” event at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. NASA VR TreadmillThe concept of the VR treadmill was used to test if duplicating a visual-motor linkage was feasible for long-duration spaceflight. NASA 2000s VisualizationTurn-of-the-century Graphics and Visualization Lab (GVIS) model. NASA 2000s VisualizationTurn-of-the-century Graphics and Visualization Lab (GVIS) model. NASA 2000s Visualization Turn-of-the-century Graphics and Visualization Lab (GVIS) model. NASA Aeroshark ClusterThe Advanced Computational Concepts Lab’s (ACCL) Aeroshark Cluster in 2001. NASA Early 2000s Graphics and Visualization Lab (GVIS)The turn-of-the-century Graphics and Visualization Lab (GVIS), shown in 2004. NASA Advanced Communications Environment (ACE) ClusterThe Advanced Computational Concepts Lab’s (ACCL) Advanced Communications Environment (ACE) Cluster in 2005. NASA Early Computer Automatic Virtual Environment (CAVE)A Graphics and Visualization Lab (GVIS) team member demonstrating the old Computer Automatic Virtual Environment (CAVE). NASA Current Computer Automatic Virtual Environment (CAVE)A Graphics and Visualization Lab (GVIS) intern in the Computer Automatic Virtual Environment (CAVE). NASA GVIS Now

Today, the GVIS Lab has the same mission that it had in 1989: to apply the latest visualization and human interaction technologies to advance NASA’s missions. The team takes pride in pushing the limits of scientific visualization and computer science, helping fellow researchers make sense of their data, and inspiring the next generation through demonstrations and presentations. Computational technology has come a long way since the days of ICARE, but GVIS has continued to explore current and cutting-edge technologies. 

In addition to scientific visualization and experimental computational technologies, the GVIS Lab now also specializes in virtual design, interactive 3D simulations, natural user interface development, applications of computer science, and mission scenario visualizations. The team uses the latest edition of 3D programs and VR devices to experiment with how these systems can be used to visualize data, pushing their input and output capabilities. 

With all this technology, GVIS also supports the visualization of a wide variety of 3D data and models such as CAD, point clouds, and volume data. Additionally, the lab is capable of high-impact data visualization, web-based visualization, time-accurate data representation, and designing and testing CAD models in virtual reality.

The Graphics and Visualization Lab (GVIS) team attends a STEM outreach event at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.NASA Public Engagement

Outside of the lab, GVIS has a longstanding history of taking its technology demonstrations across the city, throughout the country, and around the world. The team has extensive experience organizing, presenting, and facilitating STEM-based educational outreach for a variety of different events and venues. Inside the lab, GVIS supports the education and career exploration of its high school and college interns through mentorship, community engagement opportunities, and access to cutting-edge technology.

STEM Engagement EventVisitors interact with the Graphics and Visualization Lab (GVIS) team while attending Score with STEM, an event organized by the Cleveland Cavaliers. NASA/GRC/Jef Janis STEM Engagement EventA visitor interacts with a Graphics and Visualization Lab (GVIS) team member while attending Dino Days at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. NASA STEM Engagement EventA Graphics and Visualization Lab (GVIS) Intern interacts with visitors at a STEM outreach event. NASA STEM Engagement EventGraphics and Visualization Lab (GVIS) team members attend Women in Aviation Day organized by Women in Aviation International (WAI). NASA GRUVE Lab ToursThe Graphics and Visualization Lab (GVIS) team provides tours of NASA labs and facilities. NASA GVIS Lab ToursA Graphics and Visualization Lab (GVIS) team member demonstrates VR visualizations. NASA GRUVE Lab ToursVisitors interact with a visualization through the CAVE environment at the Graphics and Visualization Lab (GVIS).   NASA Contact Us 

Need to reach us? You can send an email directly to the GVIS Team (GRC-DL-GVIS@mail.nasa.gov) or to the team leader, Herb Schilling (hschilling@nasa.gov).

Share

Details Last Updated Jul 23, 2025 Related Terms

• Glenn Research Center
• NASA Centers & Facilities

Explore More 3 min read 1942: Engine Roars to Life in First Test at Future NASA Glenn Article 1 year ago 2 min read NASA Glenn History Includes Contributions of Women in Aerospace Research Article 3 years ago 3 min read NASA Uses Cleveland Landmark for Microgravity Research in the 1960s Article 3 years ago Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA

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Glenn Historic Facilities

This collection of webpages was created to document some of the historic facilities formerly located at NASA's Glenn Research Center…

Glenn Historic Preservation

NASA History Series

4 Min Read GVIS History As part of NASA Glenn’s Scientific Computing and Visualization Team, the GVIS Lab has a storied visual and technological history.  Credits: NASA GVIS: the ICARE Era

In 1982, a $20 million supercomputer was brought to NASA Glenn. Scientists at NASA Glenn were becoming increasingly reliant on computer simulations to test their experiments. Advancements in computer technology allowed a different type of testing environment — one that revolved around virtual models and data over physical observation. The benefits of this method included a decrease in costs, a decrease in associated risk, faster turnaround, and more data.

High Definition Video System (HDVS)A High Definition Video System (HDVS) in the early Graphics and Visualization Lab (GVIS). NASA High Definition Video System (HDVS) in the LabNASA employee in early Graphics and Visualization Lab (GVIS) setup, containing High Definition Video Systems (HDVS). NASA Early Graphics and Visualization Lab (GVIS)Early Graphics and Visualization Lab (GVIS) setup, which housed original analog processing hardware. NASA Cray 1-S/2200 SupercomputerThe original Cray 1-S/2200 Supercomputer in the Research and Analysis Center in 1982.NASA

But this method of experimentation created a problem: With data-point counts somewhere in the millions, it was a challenge for scientists to even begin to look at their own collected data. In short, there was simply too much data to be analyzed. To solve this problem, NASA Glenn built the Interactive Computer Aided Research Engineering system (ICARE) in the center’s Research Analysis Center.  

Taking up several rooms, consisting of 22 total workstations, and costing a grand total of $20 million, the ICARE system was a way for scientists to examine their data through the aid of supercomputer visualizations. Using both graphical and modular methods, ICARE’s visualizations revealed and shared information in ways that traditional methods could not match. 

The construction and implementation of the ICARE system was revolutionary to both the center and NASA as a whole. Before 1982, NASA already had an established interest in powerful computers; however, the ICARE system took NASA into the era of supercomputing. ICARE also brought increased attention to the value and power of scientific visualization. 

Original Processing HardwareOriginal analog Graphics and Visualization Lab (GVIS) processing hardware.NASA ICARE RoomAn ICARE room in the Research and Analysis Center. NASA 1980s VisualizationA typical 1980s visualization at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland.NASA GRAPH3DGRAPH3D was an innovative technology in the 1980s that supported shaded surfaces and had a rich set of user-friendly commands.NASA The Creation of GVIS

In 1989, it was time for an upgrade. NASA Glenn wanted the latest scientific visualization technology and techniques for its scientists, so the center expanded the Research Analysis Center to make room for the new Graphics and Visualization Lab (GVIS). The GVIS Lab acquired cutting-edge graphics technology, including studio-quality TV animation and recording equipment, stereographic displays, and image processing systems. Later, the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 provided funding and opportunities to add high-speed computing, virtual reality, and collaborative visualization to its fleet of tools.

The secure supercomputing space that would eventually become the Graphics and Visualization Lab (GVIS), shown in 1989.NASA

During this period, the GVIS Lab was responsible for assisting NASA Glenn scientists who needed help visualizing their data. The lab was also tasked with inventing new visualization techniques and promoting NASA Glenn’s activities though tours, videos, and other outreach programs. Some of the techniques the lab developed included particle tracking, iso-surface contours, and volume visualization. Tour guests included school children, corporate VIPs, local and national politicians, TV news media, and researchers from other national labs. Using state-of-the-art recording and editing hardware, the GVIS Lab regularly shared work both inside and outside of NASA.   

As other labs and researchers began to gain access to their own scientific visualization tools, the GVIS Lab shifted its focus to experimenting with virtual reality- and augmented reality-based visualizations.

Jay HorowitzJay Horowitz saw the Graphics and Visualization Lab (GVIS) through its creation and early years at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. NASA Cray X-MP-2 SupercomputerThe Cray X-MP-2 Supercomputer that replaced the 1-S. NASA Early Research and Analysis CenterThe Research and Analysis Center pre-expansion. NASA Research and Analysis CenterThe Research and Analysis Center after the expansion. The Graphics and Visualization Lab (GVIS) is in the upper left corner. NASA Lewis Advanced Cluster Environment (LACE)The Advanced Computational Concepts Lab’s (ACCL) Lewis Advanced Cluster Environment (LACE) in 1993. NASA Mobile Aeronautics Education Laboratory (MAEL) VR Flight SimulatorSetup showing location of the various equipment used in the Mobile Aeronautics Education Laboratory (MAEL) VR Flight Simulator.NASA Mobile Aeronautics Education Laboratory (MAEL) VR Flight SimulatorMAEL (Mobile Aeronautics Education Laboratory) trailer’s flight simulator supported multi-screen panoramic views or head-tracked Head Mounted Displays (HMDs). NASA WrightSimApollo 13 flight director Gene Kranz watches Jim Lovell pilot WrightSim. NASA 100 Years of Flight Gala CelebrationJohn Glenn talks to a Graphics and Visualization Lab (GVIS) programmer during the 2003 “100 Years of Flight Gala Celebration” event at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. NASA VR TreadmillThe concept of the VR treadmill was used to test if duplicating a visual-motor linkage was feasible for long-duration spaceflight. NASA 2000s VisualizationTurn-of-the-century Graphics and Visualization Lab (GVIS) model. NASA 2000s VisualizationTurn-of-the-century Graphics and Visualization Lab (GVIS) model. NASA 2000s Visualization Turn-of-the-century Graphics and Visualization Lab (GVIS) model. NASA Aeroshark ClusterThe Advanced Computational Concepts Lab’s (ACCL) Aeroshark Cluster in 2001. NASA Early 2000s Graphics and Visualization Lab (GVIS)The turn-of-the-century Graphics and Visualization Lab (GVIS), shown in 2004. NASA Advanced Communications Environment (ACE) ClusterThe Advanced Computational Concepts Lab’s (ACCL) Advanced Communications Environment (ACE) Cluster in 2005. NASA Early Computer Automatic Virtual Environment (CAVE)A Graphics and Visualization Lab (GVIS) team member demonstrating the old Computer Automatic Virtual Environment (CAVE). NASA Current Computer Automatic Virtual Environment (CAVE)A Graphics and Visualization Lab (GVIS) intern in the Computer Automatic Virtual Environment (CAVE). NASA GVIS Now

Today, the GVIS Lab has the same mission that it had in 1989: to apply the latest visualization and human interaction technologies to advance NASA’s missions. The team takes pride in pushing the limits of scientific visualization and computer science, helping fellow researchers make sense of their data, and inspiring the next generation through demonstrations and presentations. Computational technology has come a long way since the days of ICARE, but GVIS has continued to explore current and cutting-edge technologies. 

In addition to scientific visualization and experimental computational technologies, the GVIS Lab now also specializes in virtual design, interactive 3D simulations, natural user interface development, applications of computer science, and mission scenario visualizations. The team uses the latest edition of 3D programs and VR devices to experiment with how these systems can be used to visualize data, pushing their input and output capabilities. 

With all this technology, GVIS also supports the visualization of a wide variety of 3D data and models such as CAD, point clouds, and volume data. Additionally, the lab is capable of high-impact data visualization, web-based visualization, time-accurate data representation, and designing and testing CAD models in virtual reality.

The Graphics and Visualization Lab (GVIS) team attends a STEM outreach event at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.NASA Public Engagement

Outside of the lab, GVIS has a longstanding history of taking its technology demonstrations across the city, throughout the country, and around the world. The team has extensive experience organizing, presenting, and facilitating STEM-based educational outreach for a variety of different events and venues. Inside the lab, GVIS supports the education and career exploration of its high school and college interns through mentorship, community engagement opportunities, and access to cutting-edge technology.

STEM Engagement EventVisitors interact with the Graphics and Visualization Lab (GVIS) team while attending Score with STEM, an event organized by the Cleveland Cavaliers. NASA/GRC/Jef Janis STEM Engagement EventA visitor interacts with a Graphics and Visualization Lab (GVIS) team member while attending Dino Days at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. NASA STEM Engagement EventA Graphics and Visualization Lab (GVIS) Intern interacts with visitors at a STEM outreach event. NASA STEM Engagement EventGraphics and Visualization Lab (GVIS) team members attend Women in Aviation Day organized by Women in Aviation International (WAI). NASA GRUVE Lab ToursThe Graphics and Visualization Lab (GVIS) team provides tours of NASA labs and facilities. NASA GVIS Lab ToursA Graphics and Visualization Lab (GVIS) team member demonstrates VR visualizations. NASA GRUVE Lab ToursVisitors interact with a visualization through the CAVE environment at the Graphics and Visualization Lab (GVIS).   NASA Contact Us 

Need to reach us? You can send an email directly to the GVIS Team (GRC-DL-GVIS@mail.nasa.gov) or to the team leader, Herb Schilling (hschilling@nasa.gov).

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Details Last Updated Jul 23, 2025 Related Terms

• Glenn Research Center
• NASA Centers & Facilities

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