Cameras
Spacesim employs several Coreltm cameras and corresponding consoles to allow audio-visual communication between the Habitat and Mission Control. The Simulators employ an independent CCTV system that is not monitored by either Mission Control or the Habitat, and whose cameras are ignored by all personnel under Beta guidelines.
Cameras
The cameras themselves consist of a small flat platform containing the majority of the camera's circuitry, and a large bulbous head containing the lens and possibly the microphone.
The cameras are usually mounted on protrusions of the walls of whatever module or room they are located in, and it is standard procedure to ensure that the placement of each camera ensures a maximum field of vision.
The cameras contain no dedicated power source, and thus must be connected to a Corel(tm) console, which itself must be wired to a power bus through a 12-Volt adapter.
Corel Consoles
Corel(tm) Consoles are small, thin boxes with a variety of ports. The Console acts as intermediary between the Camera, the Network, and the Power Bus, as well as any Screens (CRT or otherwise) that may be attached.
Each Corel Console contains:
- 1 Camera input
- 2 TV Outputs (Video and Audio)
- 2 Network I/O ports (Network Port B is commonly disused, however.)
- 1 Power input
Display
Spacesim connects Consoles to several CRTs in Mission Control and in the Habitat, to allow the viewing of the collected video data. A connection of the console to the network is also required for the display to function properly.
The audio data collected is usually discounted because of large amounts of static, the low collection range of the microphone in the camera, and feedback problems in speakers near consoles broadcasting such data. However, the audio has been used to great effect on recent missions when problems occured in both primary and secondary communications.
Display Control
The Displays and Cameras are centrally managed from the CAPCOM station in Mission Control. The CAPCOM officer is able to reroute different camera outputs to various displays following CAPCOM Procedures.
