A virtual reality (VR) metaverse network supporting NASA’s lunar return has been authorised, according to a small-cap registered tech company named Vection Technologies (ASX: VR1).
In order to create this VR metaverse framework dubbed the “Lunar City,” a virtual area devoted to space research, the firm, which had a market valuation of $87.3 million before the unveiling, has teamed with three firms.
In advance of NASA’s return to the Moon with its Artemis Program, Lunar City’s signature initiative, Travel Space Real Time (TSRT), will enable the public to “reach space” in real-time and it will depend on virtual reality technology to deliver an immersive environment simulating an authentic space flight.
For the purpose of bringing Lunar City to life, Perth-based Vection Technologies and Thales Alenia Space, Next One Film Group, and ALTEC have agreed to a memorandum of understanding (MoU).
The three businesses—Thalles, one of the world’s leading producers of spacecraft and space components; Next One, a maker of films and interactive media; and ALTEC, an aerospace logistics technology engineering business owned by Thales and the Italian Space Agency—will support Vection’s goals with their respective specialties.
The purpose of the MoU, according to Vection, is to gather video image data from cameras and sensors onboard spacecraft and space modules, which will subsequently be sent to the surface to provide visitors of Lunar City with an interactive experience while utilising the metaverse ecosystem.
According to a statement from Vection Technologies, even though capturing and showcasing the uniqueness of the Artemis lunar programme through cutting-edge multimedia elements like VR technology is the ultimate goal of the MoU, the parties intend to test the technology and commercial possibilities on ongoing space missions with commercial space organisations first.
In the end, Lunar City will serve as an electronic training pitch for the Artemis Program, a robotic and human Moon exploration initiative that aims to restore human impact on the lunar surface after the Apollo 17 expedition in 1972.
Before starting the far longer voyage to Mars, the Artemis mission will utilise the Moon to test deep space technologies and procedures and build the groundwork for a permanent long-term presence on the lunar surface.
According to Vection, Lunar City would be given to colleges and research facilities to enable experiment verification and remote management, as well as to space agencies for astronaut training.
The same technology will also be made available to the general public, enabling anybody to use the framework with a digital pass or membership.
According to Vection, the parties to this agreement have a shared goal of using this “space content” to expand business relationships with space contractors and aerospace companies, increase public awareness of the Artemis Program and the upcoming Moon landing, and encourage space travel and the technological and innovative education of subsequent generations.
The financial effect of this arrangement, according to Vection, is not yet known, but the business expects it to be substantial.
