Virtual reality software originally developed by NASA engineers to help explore Mars is now being used by a leading petrochemical company to build and plan operations for a complex industrial facility in “virtual world” simulations.

The Mars Map software, developed at NASA’s Ames Research Center (California), guided scientists through the 1997 Mars Pathfinder mission. The tool let scientists and operations personnel command and control remote robotic spacecraft within a virtual environment. Recently, RCT, a company in San Jose, CA, was granted a license for further development of the platform.

Reality Capture Technologies (RCT) was co-founded in 2000 by Dr. Ted Blackmon, who led the development efforts of projects involving the command and control of remote exploration robots for NASA Ames. RCT has recently deployed its software tool at a new Shell Chemicals process plant currently under construction in Geismar, LA.

“Our product, based on NASA technology, will allow Shell to create and validate start-up procedures, in addition to a construction-feasibility review, and commence training in a virtual environment months before the plant is fully built,” said Blackmon.

The software lets engineers simulate a plant environment and create operating procedures, training, and documentation. It provides access to a construction site and allows personnel to manage, assess, control, and respond to changes in the plant’s construction.

The software, according to Blackmon, “Is almost like a video game where you hold a joystick and walk around, making sure that everything is working right. Only in this case, you walk around a not-yet-built Shell plant.”

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