Resumen
The present article highlights the importance of design engineering in virtual environment. The current Space Shuttle Orbital Maneuvering System (OMS) and the related Reaction Control System (RCS) make use of hydrazine as a propellant. Hydrazine, while high in energy content, is both corrosive and poisonous. As a result, its use in the OMS/RCS dictates that extreme caution be used in both the initial charging of the systems before launch and in their safety after landing. Not only does the use of hydrazine increase the risk for those preparing and maintaining the space shuttle, but the procedures required for personnel safety during these processes add significant time to the preparation of each space shuttle for launch. Technologies developed and integrated by the Virtual Environments Research Institute of the University of Houston were employed to provide for high performance, 3-D visualizations for the engineering design on platforms that ranged from the engineer's desktop computer to a fully immersive CAVE. The use of collaborative virtual environments was intended to achieve a significant reduction in the time and travel costs normally associated with the traditional engineering design process and a major improvement in the maintainability of the new systems.