jpl planetary protection
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/
roles
I was the intern for the Planetary Protection team focused on Research, Design and Video Editing.
methods
Research, UX/UI,
Graphic Design,
Cinematography,
Video Editing, Motion, Illustration
timeline
june - aug 2019
tools
Procreate, Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Premiere Pro, Audition, After Effects
Planetary Protection stands as a fundamental pillar in the journey of space exploration, yet its significance often remains overlooked by many in the scientific field and the public.
I joined the team with the objective of elucidating visually the importance of Planetary Protection.
The goal of the project 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.
problem
The significance of Planetary Protection remains relatively obscure to both the general public and the scientific community.
goals
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.
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 there were three types of viewers who would be viewing the content.
elementary students
experts
scientists in other fields
As a new team member, comprehensive research was needed to deeply understand Planetary Protection to seamlessly integrate it into the designs and films.
With my background in Cognitive Science, I extensively explored the NASA database by studying numerous articles on the latest projects led by the Planetary Protection team. Collaborating closely with stakeholders, we crafted the initial script draft, drawing insights from the research.
To ensure an authentic portrayal, I conducted 10+ insightful interviews with the experts to understand the methodologies and their responsibilities.
The knowledge gained from these interactions formed a vital foundation for empathizing with the Planetary Protection team and shaping the storyboard for the film's script.
three teams
Demonstrating the seamless collaboration and unity among the Flight Implementation, Archiving, and Research teams within the BPPG was a crucial aspect, highlighting their cohesive efforts and interconnectedness in achieving shared goals.
understandable
A key priority was simplifying complex terminology for elementary school students. During open houses, JPL aims to effectively communicate the purpose of the Biological Planetary Protection Group to young children in an engaging and straightforward manner.
visually captivating
To engage both young children and scientists, visually appealing graphics and captivating music were essential to maintain their attention throughout the entire experience.
following the user journey
Ensuring a coherent and engaging user journey was paramount, with the film's narrative seamlessly aligning visuals and spoken content to convey a cohesive message from start to finish.
How might we skillfully showcase the narrative of planetary protection?
How might we strike a balance between accessibility for a younger audience and informative value for scientists?
How might we craft visually compelling yet easily digestible content?
the finalized storyboard of the film
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.
finalized banners
printed banners
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
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 & learning
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, as well as 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 took on the responsibility of identifying and highlighting the most crucial aspects to showcase 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 again.
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/
