HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Through a continued partnership between the Cosmosphere and
Kansas State University Salina, a team of senior students led by Dr. Balaji Balasubramaniam, Dr.
Annie Hoekman, and Dr. Michael Oetken, have developed an immersive virtual reality
experience that will soon become part of the Cosmosphere’s educational camp programming.
The students involved in the production include Diego Hinojosa, Dylan Hoeffner, Jacob
Klataske, Alec Mendoza, Hunter Taylor, William Ramberg, and Zabdiel Ramirez.
The project, titled ISS Rupture Simulation, places participants aboard the International Space
Station during an emergency scenario. Using virtual reality technology, campers will search
through a virtual model of the ISS looking for ruptures using an audio amplifier listening for air
leaks and repairing them with branded patches.
Created as part of the students’ senior capstone project at Kansas State University Salina, the
simulation was designed specifically for use within the Cosmosphere’s camp experiences, further
expanding the organization’s hands-on and immersive STEAM education opportunities.
During a presentation of the final development, a representative from an additional partner, Pure
Imagination Studios, attended the demonstration of the project alongside staff and leadership
from both the Cosmosphere and Kansas State University Salina. The demonstration showcased
the completed VR experience and highlighted the collaborative effort behind the immersive
educational tool.
The collaboration reflects the shared commitment between the Cosmosphere and Kansas State
University Salina to inspire the next generation through innovation, experiential learning, and
space education.
For more information visit salina.k-state.edu/research-engagement/cosmosphere-partnership/
For more information about Cosmosphere camps and educational programs, visit cosmo.org/camps
