This page was made possible by the good folks from the Houston Independent School District and Rice University.

Welcome to the Educational Space Simulations Project, affiliated with the National Association of Space Simulating Educators (NASSE). The purpose of this web site is to promote the development of education via simulation. Although the primary focus of this site is space simulations, the concept of education via simulation is applicable to a wide range of disciplines.

I received a request from the Associate Manager of HBO Interactive to provide a link from this site to HBO's site "From the Earth to the Moon: America's Greatest Adventure." Here's the entire message (minus an e-mail address or two, for privacy):

From: Naeem.Mohaiemen@xxx.xxx
Date sent: Sun, 8 Mar 1998 12:29:50 -0500
Subject: HBO's miniseries "From the Earth to the Moon"
To: chris@tenet.edu (Receipt Notification Requested) (IPM Return Requested)

Press Release

Please consider linking to the URL for HBO's "From the Earth to the Moon: America's Greatest Adventure" (Executive Producer Tom Hanks). The URL is:-

http://www.hbo.com/apollo

Please let me know via e-mail if such a link is possible.

Thank you.

--Naeem Mohaiemen, Associate Manager, HBO Interactive Ventures

For Immediate Release

"From the Earth to the Moon" Blasts Off at hbo.com

-- Companion Web Site to HBO Miniseries Event Rolls Out Stories Behind Apollo Space Program --

New York, NY, March 3, 1998 -- HBO brings the space race to cyberspace with its most ambitious site to date for "From the Earth to the Moon" (www.hbo.com/apollo), the network's upcoming 12-part miniseries event about the Apollo space program. Executive p Every week from now to the TV premiere on April 5, the site will roll out new content designed to bring users closer to the experiences and achievements of the astronauts as well as to complement the miniseries. Look for virtual reality simulations, int Current features in orbit include: · Apollo Simulation -- See if you have the right stuff to fly to the moon and back in a detailed virtual reality recreation of an Apollo mission. Designed to scale and using the real physics of space travel, stages of the VRML simulation will be rolled o · Astronauts-Eye View -- Get a 360º panoramic view of key sites from the Kennedy Space Center and the miniseries sets in QuickTime VR, from lunar modules to mission control, and see what it feels like to be center stage in an Apollo mission. · 20th Century Space Race -- Learn about the intense technological rivalry between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, which beat the U.S. to space and nearly beat us to the moon. · Tom Hanks Interview

Read how executive producer and admitted Apollo buff Tom Hanks got involved in the miniseries and share his boyhood memories of the first lunar landing. · About the Show -- Tap into the complete guide of the miniseries which, after the April 5 premiere, will include everything from story lines and casts to explanations of people, places and things referenced in the series. (more)

Future features on the launching pad include: · Space for Kids -- Elementary school kids can have fun learning about space and the moon with educational facts and activities, original stories, and an on-line coloring book featuring key moments from Apollo missions. · Essays -- Look for commentary on a variety of issues surrounding the Apollo missions, from women and NASA to space food and Hollywood's treatment of the moon. · Behind the Scenes Tour -- Get an insider's look at the making of each episode, from special effects to key production people, with photos and video clips. · Watch & Win Game -- Win a trip for four to the Kennedy Space Center, plus lots of other space-related prizes, by answering trivia questions pertaining to each week's episode. · Bulletin Boards -- Dock with other fans in cyberspace to talk about the Apollo program and the miniseries plus weekly topics from personal memories to the future of the space program.

HBO's miniseries "From the Earth to the Moon" follows the voyages of America's Apollo astronauts and the 12 manned Apollo missions, from the early U.S. space efforts in 1961, when Alan Shepard became the first American to break the 100-mile barrier where "From the Earth to the Moon" will debut on six successive Sundays -- April 5 through May 10 -- with two one-hour dramas airing each night from 8 to 10 PM ET.

'nuff said.

Please browse the Project Orion Web Page to see a first class high school space simulation in action!

I am slowly adding to a database of visitors to this web site who have taken the time to fill out the Visitor's Log below. Are you listed in the database? Curious about who has visited this site? Looking for like-minded space enthusiasts like yourself? Then browse the ESSP Database of Registrants.

Browse the Ottawa Board of Education Space Simulation web site!

Take a look at some photos of a space simulation conducted by Teresa Lambert's Talented and Gifted students in Findlay, Ohio. Browse some photographs of a space shuttle simulator christened "New Horizon" by the Orono Middle School students in Orono, Maine. The simulator is a high fidelity mockup of the interior of the space shuttle flight deck. The project director is Richard Glueck, and he did a fantastic job. But don't take MY word for it. See for yourself! And here are some photos of Jim McCarter's students conducting their space simulation.

Here is the schedule of events for the simulation on Thursday, January 23, which was a "continuation simulation." The simulation on January 13 had to be cut short due to foul weather conditions. Sorta like real life, right? Look at some pictures taken during our "continuation simulation."

Browse some samples of student astronaut applications that consisted of a persuasive essay and an experimental proposal.

Click here to browse a menu of pictures that were generated during a space simulation.

Here's an easy way to generate a weather report when participating in an educational space simulation.

This site was selected as a "Related Resource" for the program entitled The Space Shuttle. Check it out! And while you're at it, check out the wealth of educational materials available at Discovery Channel School.

Post a navigation report on your shuttle simulator's current altitude, latitude, longitude, and miles downrange so ESSP subscribers can track your progress with a satellite tracking program like MacSPOC or STSOrbit (available here).

Download MacSPOC, the best satellite tracking program around. It's for the Mac platform, and it's GREAT!!

Join Live From Mars, a Passport to Knowledge project produced in collaboration with the Mars Exploration Directorate of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the NASA K-12 Internet Initiative, the Public Broadcasting System, and the National Science Foundation.

Please email me if you have any comments.

Best regards,
Chris Rowan

Space Simulation Information

Sites Useful to Space Simulating Educators

NOTE: I have a life, so if you notice that something doesn't work email me and I'll correct the problem when I get the urge. :-)

Chris Rowan