JPL Planetary Protection
A short film to discuss the significance of planetary protection in space missions and the crucial need to preserve Earth's safety from forward and backward contamination.
Role
User Researcher, Videographer, Motion Graphic Designer, Visual Designer
Industry
Aerospace
Duration
3 months
Tools
Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Premiere Pro, After Effects, Adobe Audition
We Go. We go again. We start again with the planning process for the next mission and we work on the same problems with new knowledge from the previous mission and we put it all together to further minimize the probability of contamination and better protect the planetary bodies that we are visiting and our scientific integrity.
We are Planetary Protection and we go again.
to read more about Planetary Protection, visit: https://planetaryprotection.jpl.nasa.gov/
Planetary Protection is a fundamental pillar in the journey of space exploration, yet its significance is often overlooked by many in the scientific field and the public. I joined the team to elucidate visually the importance of Planetary Protection.
Stage 1. Analyzing the Problem
The Goal:
The project's goal was to bridge the gap between the public and the JPL Planetary Protection Center of Excellence so that everyone can understand and appreciate the wonders of space exploration and scientific discoveries. This includes raising awareness about planetary protection, attracting and retaining talented scientists and engineers, fostering stronger partnerships, and creating a visually engaging narrative that conveys the mission and objectives of the JPL Protection Center of Excellence.
The Problem:
How might we increase awareness and understanding of Planetary Protection among the general public and the scientific community?
The Solution:
Develop a concise film showcasing the importance of Planetary Protection to diverse audiences, which will be showcased at conferences, open houses, and on the Planetary Protection website.
Stage 2. What is Planetary Protection?
Planetary Protection encompasses the proactive measures taken to ensure the protection of planetary bodies within the solar system from the potential hazards posed by terrestrial microorganisms during interplanetary missions. This precaution, known as forward contamination, aims to prevent any detrimental contamination of the target planetary bodies. Additionally, Planetary Protection addresses the critical issue of backward contamination, wherein stringent protocols are employed to guarantee that any hazardous materials or microorganisms brought back from solar bodies do not pose any harm to Earth.
Target Audience
From the very beginning, it was important to remember that three types of viewers would be viewing the content.
Elementary Students
Experts
Scientists in Other Fields
As a new team member, I researched Planetary Protection extensively to design and tell the story accurately. Leveraging my background in Cognitive Science, I reviewed numerous NASA articles on the latest projects and collaborated with stakeholders to create the script. To ensure authenticity, I conducted over 10 insightful interviews with experts to understand their methodologies and responsibilities.
The insights from these interactions helped me understand the Planetary Protection team better and shape the film's script.
Three Teams: Show how the Flight Implementation, Archiving, and Research teams work together smoothly to reach common goals.
Understandable: Make complex terms simple for elementary students, so they can easily grasp the Biological Planetary Protection Group's purpose during open houses.
Visually Captivating: Use attractive graphics and engaging music to keep both kids and scientists interested.
User Journey: Ensure the film’s visuals and narration create a clear and engaging story from beginning to end.
Stage 3. Storyboarding and Prototyping
The process began by taking the data and research results and turning that into a script and storyboarding the script before filming.
The theme 'We Go Again' emerged to highlight the ongoing efforts in data gathering, archiving, and research.
On top of the film being created, the team decided to craft two functional banners.
One was dedicated to the Biotechnology Planetary Protection Group (BPPG) and another represented the Planetary Protection Center of Excellence. Utilizing the research findings, vital content was gathered to inform the creation of these banners, intended for exhibition at conferences attended by team members. With collaboration with stakeholders, the banner was completed and is now utilized.
We Go. We go again. We start again with the planning process for the next mission and we work on the same problems with new knowledge from the previous mission and we put it all together to further minimize the probability of contamination and better protect the planetary bodies that we are visiting and our scientific integrity.
We are Planetary Protection and we go again.
to read more about Planetary Protection, visit: https://planetaryprotection.jpl.nasa.gov/
Planetary Protection is a fundamental pillar in the journey of space exploration, yet its significance is often overlooked by many in the scientific field and the public. I joined the team to elucidate visually the importance of Planetary Protection.
Stage 1. Analyzing the Problem
The Goal:
The project's goal was to bridge the gap between the public and the JPL Planetary Protection Center of Excellence so that everyone can understand and appreciate the wonders of space exploration and scientific discoveries. This includes raising awareness about planetary protection, attracting and retaining talented scientists and engineers, fostering stronger partnerships, and creating a visually engaging narrative that conveys the mission and objectives of the JPL Protection Center of Excellence.
The Problem:
How might we increase awareness and understanding of Planetary Protection among the general public and the scientific community?
The Solution:
Develop a concise film showcasing the importance of Planetary Protection to diverse audiences, which will be showcased at conferences, open houses, and on the Planetary Protection website.
Stage 2. What is Planetary Protection?
Planetary Protection encompasses the proactive measures taken to ensure the protection of planetary bodies within the solar system from the potential hazards posed by terrestrial microorganisms during interplanetary missions. This precaution, known as forward contamination, aims to prevent any detrimental contamination of the target planetary bodies. Additionally, Planetary Protection addresses the critical issue of backward contamination, wherein stringent protocols are employed to guarantee that any hazardous materials or microorganisms brought back from solar bodies do not pose any harm to Earth.
Target Audience
From the very beginning, it was important to remember that three types of viewers would be viewing the content.
Elementary Students
Experts
Scientists in Other Fields
As a new team member, I researched Planetary Protection extensively to design and tell the story accurately. Leveraging my background in Cognitive Science, I reviewed numerous NASA articles on the latest projects and collaborated with stakeholders to create the script. To ensure authenticity, I conducted over 10 insightful interviews with experts to understand their methodologies and responsibilities.
The insights from these interactions helped me understand the Planetary Protection team better and shape the film's script.
Three Teams: Show how the Flight Implementation, Archiving, and Research teams work together smoothly to reach common goals.
Understandable: Make complex terms simple for elementary students, so they can easily grasp the Biological Planetary Protection Group's purpose during open houses.
Visually Captivating: Use attractive graphics and engaging music to keep both kids and scientists interested.
User Journey: Ensure the film’s visuals and narration create a clear and engaging story from beginning to end.
Stage 3. Storyboarding and Prototyping
The process began by taking the data and research results and turning that into a script and storyboarding the script before filming.
The theme 'We Go Again' emerged to highlight the ongoing efforts in data gathering, archiving, and research.
On top of the film being created, the team decided to craft two functional banners.
One was dedicated to the Biotechnology Planetary Protection Group (BPPG) and another represented the Planetary Protection Center of Excellence. Utilizing the research findings, vital content was gathered to inform the creation of these banners, intended for exhibition at conferences attended by team members. With collaboration with stakeholders, the banner was completed and is now utilized.
Stage 4. Capture Time & Editing
It was now time to capture and collect the footage. After all the footage was collected, it was necessary to condense the interviews and begin the video editing process.
By documenting all voiced words and collaborating with stakeholders, we ensured that any cuts would not compromise the narrative of planetary protection. Spending significant time in the editing room, I refined the script and film based on valuable feedback from key stakeholders and respected members of the Planetary Protection team. Since the script is not the finalized edition and has not been submitted to the Unlimited Release System (URS), it is currently not available for sharing.
The collective work of videographers, team members, and stakeholders was crucial in shaping the final result. Applying principles of user experience, the editing process involved careful selection, arrangement, timing, and visual storytelling techniques to create a captivating narrative that resonated with the target audience. The resulting film provided a unified and powerful visual experience, highlighting the collaboration of diverse expertise.
Adobe Audition on Brian Clement's Audio
Adobe After Effects, piecing the graphics over the finalized film
Adobe Premiere Pro Editing the clips together
Stage 5. Final presentation and handoff
Once editing was completed, I had the privilege to present to approx 100 people in the Pickering Auditorium, the largest venue at JPL's campus.
The audience consisted of participants from various teams outside the Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group (BPPG), ensuring diverse perspectives. During the presentation, I shared insights into my process and the obstacles encountered throughout the project, while also emphasizing the importance of user-centric design principles. Additionally, I actively sought feedback from the audience regarding the film, as well as the banners and graphics I developed during my internship.
After the presentation, last-minute adjustments to the film were made incorporating suggestions to enhance the overall user experience and to ensure compatibility with the Unlimited Release System(URS).
Challenges & Reflections
These were some challenges that I came across during the duration of the internship
Making the Terminology Understandable: To cater to a wider audience, including the general public and young children, I focused on making the scientific terminology and concepts accessible and easily comprehensible through clear explanations and visual aids.
Coordination with Team Members: Throughout my 11-week internship, I fostered effective collaboration and coordination with my team members, ensuring that everyone was aligned and working towards our common goals.
Timing of the Video: A key consideration was the duration of the video, which needed to be under 4 minutes, ideally around 3 minutes and 30 seconds. This time constraint required careful editing and pacing to deliver a concise yet impactful narrative.
Finding Suitable Music: Selecting the appropriate soundtrack for the film was a meticulous process that took time. I explored various options until I discovered the perfect musical accompaniment that enhanced the emotional impact of the visuals.
Working with Stakeholders and Removing Bias: I collaborated closely with stakeholders to ensure that my creative decisions and ideas did not compromise the integrity of the planetary protection story. It was essential to strike a balance between expressing my own perspective and remaining faithful to the core narrative.
The film's successful publication and integration in the JPL Planetary Protection website, and its presentation at conferences alongside the banners, were made possible through the collaborative efforts of various cross-functional teams.
This included mentors, the group manager, team members, and the dedicated videography team. Throughout this project, I gained valuable insights into the process of simplifying complex terminology to make it accessible not only for myself but also for diverse audiences. I also learned the importance of navigating multiple perspectives in a collaborative project. In my role, I was responsible for identifying and highlighting the most crucial aspects through thorough research and study.
As a result of these collective efforts, the video has been successfully posted and is now available for viewing below.
We Go. We go again. We start again with the planning process for the next mission and we work on the same problems with new knowledge from the previous mission and we put it all together to further minimize the probability of contamination and better protect the planetary bodies that we are visiting and our scientific integrity.
We are Planetary Protection and we go again.
to read more about Planetary Protection, visit: https://planetaryprotection.jpl.nasa.gov/
Challenges & Reflections
These were some challenges that I came across during the duration of the internship
Making the Terminology Understandable: To cater to a wider audience, including the general public and young children, I focused on making the scientific terminology and concepts accessible and easily comprehensible through clear explanations and visual aids.
Coordination with Team Members: Throughout my 11-week internship, I fostered effective collaboration and coordination with my team members, ensuring that everyone was aligned and working towards our common goals.
Timing of the Video: A key consideration was the duration of the video, which needed to be under 4 minutes, ideally around 3 minutes and 30 seconds. This time constraint required careful editing and pacing to deliver a concise yet impactful narrative.
Finding Suitable Music: Selecting the appropriate soundtrack for the film was a meticulous process that took time. I explored various options until I discovered the perfect musical accompaniment that enhanced the emotional impact of the visuals.
Working with Stakeholders and Removing Bias: I collaborated closely with stakeholders to ensure that my creative decisions and ideas did not compromise the integrity of the planetary protection story. It was essential to strike a balance between expressing my own perspective and remaining faithful to the core narrative.
The film's successful publication and integration in the JPL Planetary Protection website, and its presentation at conferences alongside the banners, were made possible through the collaborative efforts of various cross-functional teams.
This included mentors, the group manager, team members, and the dedicated videography team. Throughout this project, I gained valuable insights into the process of simplifying complex terminology to make it accessible not only for myself but also for diverse audiences. I also learned the importance of navigating multiple perspectives in a collaborative project. In my role, I was responsible for identifying and highlighting the most crucial aspects through thorough research and study.
As a result of these collective efforts, the video has been successfully posted and is now available for viewing below.
We Go. We go again. We start again with the planning process for the next mission and we work on the same problems with new knowledge from the previous mission and we put it all together to further minimize the probability of contamination and better protect the planetary bodies that we are visiting and our scientific integrity.
We are Planetary Protection and we go again.
to read more about Planetary Protection, visit: https://planetaryprotection.jpl.nasa.gov/
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