NASA announces new video space game

MOFFETT FIELD, Calif., Oct. 7 (UPI) -- The U.S. space agency says it has developed a video game designed to give young people the virtual experience of working on the International Space Station.

NASA said the game is based on work astronauts performed during the course of several ISS missions. The space agency said the game is part of its educational outreach effort to engage and inspire students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

"It's all about getting the next generation excited about space exploration," said Chris Kemp, chief information officer at NASA's Ames Research Center at Moffett Field, Calif. "Players, or 'astronauts,' can virtually navigate their way through mission critical tasks. This game provides players a sense of the magnitude of complexity and thrill associated with NASA missions."

Players visualize a detailed virtual mock-up of the International Space Station. They participate in four critical spacewalks that provide power to the station to keep it operating at full capacity. Players must complete their tasks quickly and carefully, before their air supply is exhausted.

A virtual spacewalk as presented in the Station Spacewalk game is available at http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/3d_resources/station_spacewalk_game.html.