The History and Evolution of the NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) FOCUS (Flight Operations Center - Unified Simulation) Lab

Abstract

The NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) FOCUS (Flight Operations Center – Unified Simulation) Lab is the brainchild of Dr. Paul Craig, who was responsible for establishing the lab after receiving two NASA grants between 2009 and 2010. This high-fidelity simulation lab combines Aerospace students from every concentration into teams and allows these teams to gain real-world operations experience in a safe, nonconsequential environment, while reinforcing essential crew resource management skills. Due to its success and recognition, organizations from major airliners to distinguished schools and academic institutions often come to tour the NASA FOCUS Lab. This thesis on the history and evolution of the NASA FOCUS Lab has been created for the purpose of documenting the genesis and progression of the lab both for posterity and to act as a reference, recording the steps and processes necessary to create the FOCUS Lab.