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NORTH VAN-BASED ETI LAUNCHES NEW SPACE SIMULATION PROGRAM

Jan-Christian Sorensen
jsrensen@nsnews.com

A revolutionary interactive space shuttle simulation CD-ROM program designed by North Vancouver-based ETI Entertainment Technologies Inc. is a go for launch.

LIFTOFF, the first of a planned five-part, PC-based space simulation series, allows users to take a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the U.S. and Canadian space programs - and participate in a virtual shuttle launch from NASA's home pad in Cape Kennedy, Florida.

The program, conceived by interactive technology development firm ETI and developed with the assistance of the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, NASA and the Canadian Space Agency, is designed for both the home entertainment and educational sectors.

It's the brainchild of ETI president Russ Baker, who first hit upon the idea for the series a few years ago.

"Of course, just like Disneyland, they've got a retail operation sitting there as you go out the door and I thought I should pick up something multimedia for my guys in the company, but when I walked into the shop, there was nothing. I thought there might be an opportunity there," said Baker.

After a lengthy series of meetings with the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, ETI inked an exclusive deal to produce the multimedia simulation program and received clearance to tour NASA facilities in Texas, Florida and Alabama. ETI even managed to incorporate some never-before-seen footage from the shuttle cockpit into the program.

"Once we got in there and had the permission, we hauled out more video footage than they did when they shot Apollo 13," said Baker, who runs ETI alongside partner and North Shore native Robin Hart. "We're talking about footage that nobody else has. You're actually on the flight deck with the shuttle crew. You get to see all their reactions - which are not the Right Stuff reactions you'd think. You get to hear them say, 'Wow, look at this, this is cool,' and give themselves high-fives. It really is a unique piece of footage."

Baker maintains that providing users with as real an experience as possible was his main concern. To that end, company designers actually strapped themselves into the NASA flight simulator at the Johnson Space Center in Houston to capture the spirit of an actual countdown and liftoff.

"The whole philosophy behind the product is reality," said Baker. "This isn't a game. You're sitting in a completely reconstructed flight deck of the shuttle. You get to sit in the commander's chair of the shuttle and command an actual launch from T-minus nine (minutes) through to orbit insertion. You get to go from Cape Kennedy to 75 miles over the Indian Ocean at mach 25."

"We have completely recreated - both internally and externally - interactive 3-D models you can go through and go down to any level you want. You start with the shuttle flight deck and you can go right down to the toilet, which is probably a reality you don't want to know."

This simulator also incorporates actual flight plans and how to deal with anomalies and safety procedures. "Things that go wrong, like when you have to abort to Africa because you've lost an engine," said Baker.

ETI is releasing two versions of the first CD-ROM - one for the U.S. market, and a Canadian version in which students and teachers can learn more about Canada's vital role in the history of international space exploration.

"I spoke to some teachers and a lot of them don't realize that Canada was the third nation in space with a satellite and we were actually the first to have a geostationary up in the communications area," said Baker. "The Canadian aspect was important for us. I think that we've not only covered that in the Canadian version, but we've left a lot of it in on the U.S. version as well."

While the CD-ROM has hit the Canadian market, the company is planning its U.S. launch for early October - and possibly, said Baker, in conjunction with an actual launch.

LIFTOFF is available in Canada in both French and English and will be retailed at science centres and major software retailers. The CD-ROM will also be available at NASA visitors centers at Florida's Kennedy Space Center, the "Mission Control" Space Center in Houston, Texas and the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Ala. - all of which attract upwards of three million visitors a year.

That could spell big dividends for the local developer.

"They're great partners from a content point of view, but they're also going to feature us in all their retail centres. Space Camp is sending out 900,000 guides to teachers and the public. This is stuff you can't buy. And if we can't sell it to the people who are interested in space, we're not going to sell it to anyone," said Baker.

ETI is currently developing the second CD-ROM in the series, working closely with the U.S. Space and Rocket Center and the NASA propulsion engineer who was the subject of the movie October Sky.

Baker said future programs will include a detailed virtual operation of the Canadarm and an aerodynamic simulation model that will allow users to guide the shuttle back into earth's atmosphere and through the landing process.

"Imagine one day being able to sit at your computer and link up with a whole bunch of people either across the room or across the country to run a mission," said baker.

The next four CD-ROMs are expected to be launched over a three-year period.

ETI has in the past produced such interactive products as Cosmopolitan Virtual Makeover, Rudolph's Magic Sleigh Ride, Seventeen Style Studio and Kodak Picture Planet.