1. Simulators for Rockets & Robots Tutorial & Lab Dion Paul HS Teacher Summer Program Tuesday, June 12, 2012

2. Agenda Time  Tutorial 9:00am - 9:30am  Overview of Simulators  My Experience  A Simulator for Rockets - RockSim  A Simulator for Robots – RoboLogix  Lab Activity I 9:30am - 10:45am  RockSim  Break10:45am - 11:10am  Lab Activity II: 11:10am – 12:10pm  RoboLogix  Questions/Discussion

3. Simulators for Rockets & Robots - Overview What is simulation?  The use of a model to imitate the operation of a real-world process or system over time  Model: key characteristics  Operation: behavior  Computer simulation:  Attempts to model a real-life or hypothetical situation on a computer in order to gain a better understanding of its operation  Variables in the model can be modified, and predictions can be made about the system’s behavior  Computer simulation is useful in modeling:  Natural systems in physics, chemistry, biology,  Human systems in economics and social science (computational sociology)  Electronic and other engineering systems, for example network traffic.

4. Simulators for Rockets & Robots - Overview Applications of Simulation  Performance optimization  Engineering: safety testing  Video games  Scientific modeling of natural systems or human systems to gain operational insight.  Used to display the eventual real effects of alternative conditions and courses of action.  Simulation is also used when the real system cannot be engaged, due to:  Inaccessible or dangerous  It is being designed but not yet built, or it may simply not exist.

5. Simulators for Rockets & Robots - Overview Screenshot – Flight Simulator Microsoft® Flight Simulator X  Allows user to be immersed in a beautifully rich and realistic world with dozens of aircraft and interactive missions.  Missions allows users to fly anywhere in the world, all from their personal computer or similar device  Users of all ages and skill levels feel firsthand what it’s like to be an aviator traveling the globe solo or online with others

6. Simulators for Rockets & Robots - Overview Screenshot – The Sims The Sims  Award-winning series that created the Life Simulation genre.  Users are allowed to do things which may be impossible in real life.  It is a strategic life-simulation video game developed by Maxis and published by Electronic Arts.  It simulates the daily activities of one or more virtual persons (Sims) in a suburban household near SimCity.

7. Simulators for Rockets & Robots - Overview Screenshot - Farmville Farmville  A farming simulation social network game developed by Zynga in 2009.  Gameplay involves general farm management such as plowing land, planting, growing and harvesting crops, harvesting trees and bushes, and raising livestock.  It is available as an Adobe Flash application via the social- networking website Facebook and Microsoft's MSN Games, and also as app for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad.  As of September 2011, FarmVille is the third most popular Facebook game, behind CityVille and The Sims Social.

8. Simulators for Rockets & Robots – My Experience 2011-2012 NASA University Student Launch Initiative (USLI) Team Name: FAMU Diamondbacks (@FAMUDBacks) Mission: To win the USLI rocket competition by successfully launching and recovering a rocket to an altitude of 1 mile (5,280 feet). Highlights:  NASA USLI presented a unique opportunity that had not been pursued before at FAMU.  Project aimed to open the eyes of FAMU students, as well as encourage students to step out of their comfort zone and gain new experiences.  FAMU DBacks focused on designing the most creative and innovative rocket which will reach the required altitude and possess maximum safety and efficiency.  FAMU DBacks also planned to integrate the most creative and innovative science payload into our rocket design.

9. Simulators for Rockets & Robots – My Experience FAMU Diamondbacks Project Budget

10. Simulators for Rockets & Robots – My Experience

11. RockSim software used to simulate rocket flight  Crucial in rocket design, construction and implementation  Mandatory step required by NASA before rocket is launched  Important modifications made based on simulation results  Result: FAMU Diamondbacks, 1 st Place Altitute Award, 2012 NASA USLI

12. Simulators for Rockets & Robots A Simulator for Rockets RockSim Tutorial

13. Simulators for Rockets & Robots – RockSim  RockSim is a computer program that allows you to design any size rocket, and then simulate its flight to see how high, and how fast it will fly.  User is able to find out if it is stable and safe to launch even before starting to build the creation.  Used by NASA scientists, amateur clubs and even high school kids.  Simulates the design, implementation and flight of real rockets and several models.  Allows users to build their own rocket, or choose from available model designs.  Users can quickly see the likely effects of design changes, hopefully preventing crashes and lost work.

14. Simulators for Rockets & Robots – RockSim Screenshot – Rocket Design and Construction in RockSim

15. Simulators for Rockets & Robots – RockSim Screenshot – Rocket Simulation in RockSim

16. RockSim Demo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEWRlu4K7ts

17. Simulators for Rockets & Robots A Simulator for Robots RoboLogix Tutorial

18. Simulators for Rockets & Robots - RoboLogix  Designed primarily as an education tool, ideal for students, robot designers and engineers.  Provides all the power and functionality of professional software costing thousands of dollars via a user-friendly 3D interface.  Robotic programs can be tested and debugged in a safe, non-hazardous environment using accurate simulations.  Simulated robot data is accessible without tying up programming time on an actual robot.  A control panel is included with RoboLogix that allows the user to issues command to the robot model in the simulated environment.

19. Simulators for Rockets & Robots – RoboLogix  Screenshot – Work Envelope in RoboLogix

20. Simulators for Rockets & Robots – RoboLogix Screenshot – Crumpled Box in RoboLogix

21. RoboLogix Demo

22. Simulators for Rockets & Robots

23. Lab Activity I RockSim Lab

24. Simulators for Rockets & Robots – Lab Activity I Follow instructions on lab document. Video Guide - RockSim Lab http://www.cis.famu.edu/~dpaul/courses/

25. Simulators for Rockets & Robots Lab Activity II RoboLogix Lab

26. Simulators for Rockets & Robots – Lab Activity II Follow instructions on lab document. Video Guide - RoboLogix http://www.cis.famu.edu/~dpaul/courses/

27. Simulators for Rockets & Robots – Additional Resources RockSim: http://www.apogeerockets.com/Rocksim/Rocksim_information/ RoboLogix: http://www.robologix.com

28. Simulators for Rockets & Robots – Questions/Discussion