The Role of Prediction in Training with a Simulated Orbital Docking Task

Book excerpt: A review of the literature relating to the role of prediction in manual control resulted in substantial evidence indicating that learning to control vehicles in complex maneuvers such as orbital docking is primarily a matter of learning to predict the future states of the vehicle. The purpose of this project was to: (a) investigate the relation between the ability to predict and manual control skill, and (b) determine the effect of prediction training on learning vehicular control. Two simulated docking experiments were performed. The results supported the hypothesis that ability to control is highly correlated with ability to predict. It was also demonstrated that while prediction training alone is no more effective than standard training, a combination of the two training methods appears to be much more effective than training in either control or prediction alone. It is therefore recommended that manual control training programs incorporate training in prediction. It is also recommended that associated training devices be revised or developed so as to incorporate means of training prediction skills and of measuring prediction capability. (Author).