ORLANDO, FL /PRNewswire/ -- I/ITSEC, Booth #2401 -- Quantum3D Inc., a leading provider of visual computing solutions for government and commercial applications, announced Virgin Galactic, the world's first commercial spaceline, has ordered Quantum3D's six-channel Independence IDX 7000 image generator. Virgin Galactic will use Quantum3D's most advanced real-time image generator to train pilots on spaceship equipment and command.
"Our first priority in sub-orbital space exploration is safety, and by leveraging Quantum3D's IDX 7000 with the most advanced image generation, we are giving our pilots the best training available for space exploration," said Keith Colmer, Senior Test Pilot, Virgin Galactic. "Quantum3D created an impressive high-quality database, including imagery of our spaceship models, buildings, hangars, and spaceport to provide the most realistic simulation possible for our pilots, which will assist in creating a space program to support flying almost anyone to space and back safely."
The IDX 7000 offers enhanced performance and capabilities to deliver Virgin Galactic a versatile and powerful simulation and training platform that can be setup in a dedicated room or easily transported, to meet a range of on-site, on-location, and mobile training needs. Combined with Mantis shader-based real-time scene management software with geo-specific, worldwide synthetic environments, Virgin Galactic will be able to train its pilots in a variety of simulations, from instrument/cockpit familiarization to a full range of special effects, sensors, weather, and lighting, along with mission-critical functions such as height-above-terrain and line-of-sight intersection testing.
"Virgin Galactic is on the cusp of a new frontier—making sub-orbital space accessibility a reality," said Wade Guindy, President, Quantum3D. "We are proud to have Virgin Galactic using our IDX 7000 image generator and Mantis software to train their pilots for the future of consumer space travel."
About Quantum3D
Quantum3D Inc. is a leading developer and manufacturer of commercial, off-the-shelf (COTS), open-architecture, real-time visual computing solutions. Quantum3D combines the most advanced hardware and software systems for graphics simulation in a variety of markets and implementations—image generation, tactical computing for avionics, vehicle and man-wearable applications, synthetic environments, graphics subsystems, and other COTS solutions. Quantum3D is a privately held company headquartered in San Jose, CA.
For more information about Quantum3D real-time visual computing solutions, please visit the company's Web site.
About Virgin Galactic
Virgin Galactic, owned by Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group and aabar Investments PJS, is on track to be the world's first commercial spaceline. The new spaceship (SpaceShipTwo, VSS Enterprise) and carrier craft (WhiteKnightTwo, VMS Eve) have both been developed for Virgin Galactic by Mojave-based Scaled Composites. The Spaceship Company, a new aerospace production company founded by Virgin Galactic and Scaled Composites, is building the fleet of vehicles for Virgin Galactic. Founded by Burt Rutan, Scaled developed SpaceShipOne, which in 2004 claimed the $10 million Ansari X Prize as the world's first privately developed manned spacecraft. Virgin Galactic's new vehicles share much of the same basic design, but are being built to carry six customers, or the equivalent scientific research payload, on sub-orbital space flights, allowing an out-of-the-seat, zero-gravity experience and offering astounding views of the planet from the black sky of space for tourist astronauts and a unique microgravity platform for researchers. The VSS Enterprise and VMS Eve test flight program is well under way, leading to Virgin Galactic commercial operations, which will be based at Spaceport America in New Mexico.
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