For Release: May 29, 1997

Jerry Berg
Office of Media Services
(205) 544-0034
jerry.berg@msfc.nasa.gov

NOTE TO EDITORS: 97-087

Media Invited To 'Virtual' Dedication Of New Joint Army-Nasa Virtual Innovations Laboratory At Marshall Center

A new, cutting-edge, virtual reality laboratory -- created as a joint venture by the Marshall Space Flight Center and the Army Missile Command in Huntsville, Ala. -- is set to open its doors next week.

Media are invited to cover the opening of the laboratory, tour the new virtual reality facility and immerse themselves in some "virtual experiences" by wearing a head-mounted display to enter a computer-generated, three-dimensional environment and interacting within it.

The facility's dedication is scheduled at 11:30 a.m. Monday, June 2, at the Army-NASA Virtual Innovations Laboratory (ANVIL), Building 4663, at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala.

Marshall Center Director Dr. J. Wayne Littles and Maj. Gen. James M. Link, commanding general of the Army Missile Command, will open the facility.

Creation of the Virtual Innovations Laboratory marks a significant step in the Army-NASA partnership, as the two organizations pool resources and capabilities for greater cooperation in applied virtual reality technologies, while continuing to pursue their own missions.

The opening of the laboratory is also another move closer toward the goal of creating a "virtual reality valley" in Huntsville. Because of the significant work in virtual reality simulation in Huntsville, the VR Valley Alliance was created in the early 1990s. The Alliance is comprised of more than 40 entities, including the Marshall Center, the U.S. Army's "Team Redstone," industry, universities and the local Chamber of Commerce.

Now the new Virtual Innovations Laboratory will become a resource for the community for new technology development, deployment and education projects.

Media representatives interested in attending dedication ceremonies, seeing the new laboratory and demonstrations of its capabilities should come to Marshall's Public Affairs Office, Building 4200, by 11:10 a.m. Mon., June 2.