The development of the Dynamic Onboard Ubiquitous Graphics software provided NASA with a critical tool for simulating complex extravehicular activity. This technology, co-authored by Evelyn Miralles, allowed space agency personnel to train for missions in a high-fidelity virtual environment, directly supporting the physical demands of repairs on the Hubble Space Telescope and various International Space Station operations.
Foundational Education
Born in 1966 in Caracas, Venezuela, Miralles pursued technical studies that combined computer science with graphical modeling. She completed a Bachelor of Science in Computer Graphics at Lamar University in 1990. Following this, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in CIS from the University of Houston–Clear Lake in 1992. These academic credentials provided the necessary framework for her subsequent two-decade tenure at the NASA Johnson Space Center.
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Upon joining the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, Miralles contributed to the VRLAB, focusing on human spaceflight preparation. Her early contributions included constructing a 3D habitat model for a proposed lunar mission. Though that specific project did not move forward, the techniques she developed laid the groundwork for future Mars exploration planning. She served as a chief principal engineer with CACI International while supporting the critical safety requirements of mission training.
Software and Mission Support
The implementation of DOUG software starting in 2000 represented a significant advancement in astronaut training. By utilizing virtual reality, Miralles and her team enabled crew members to rehearse movements in micro-gravity conditions with precision. She played a support role in the STS 61 mission to repair the Hubble Space Telescope in 1993 and provided ongoing technical assistance for all subsequent Space Shuttle and International Space Station missions.
Current Professional Focus
Transitioning from her long-term role at NASA, Miralles moved into an administrative and strategic capacity at the University of Houston–Clear Lake. As the Associate vice president for Strategic Information Initiatives and Technology, she directs efforts in organizational technology. Beyond her institutional responsibilities, she participates in science outreach, including delivering a keynote address at the 2017 Hispanicize conference.
Fast facts
- Born: 1966, Caracas, Venezuela
- Education: Lamar University, University of Houston–Clear Lake
- Primary Field: Engineering and Computer Science
- NASA tenure: 20 years at Johnson Space Center
- Key Software: Dynamic Onboard Ubiquitous Graphics (DOUG)
- NASA Silver Snoopy Award: 2012
- BBC 100 Women inclusion: 2016
- Current Role: Associate vice president at University of Houston–Clear Lake
Questions readers ask
What specific software did Evelyn Miralles co-author for NASA?
She co-authored the Dynamic Onboard Ubiquitous Graphics (DOUG) flight software used for virtual reality astronaut training.
Which NASA missions did she support?
She supported the STS 61 mission to repair the Hubble Space Telescope as well as all subsequent Space Shuttle and International Space Station missions.
Achievements
- Educated at Lamar University and University of Houston–Clear Lake
- Worked as computer scientist and engineer
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