Client:

NASA - Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL and Kennedy Space Center, FL

Project Details:

NASA’s OSAC office in Huntsville, Alabama, tasked our team with creating an engaging trade show attraction to draw attendees to their booth while telling the story of the Space Launch System (SLS) Artemis program—from launch pad to flight.

We proposed and developed a self-contained, Unity-based interactive experience using Kinect technology. Participants could use body movements to virtually build and launch the SLS rocket. Partnering with a company specializing in all-in-one systems, we incorporated both Kinect and touchscreen functionality, allowing NASA to use the setup for future touch-based projects as well.

I led the creative, animation, and development teams, overseeing project management and design. We carefully storyboarded and designed the entire experience before production began. The game featured an intro/screen saver and was activated by a user waving to start. It was divided into three stages: assembling rocket components, powering the RS-25 engines, and piloting the SLS through a ring flight course. Between stages, fully animated sequences narrated the process. Players had three attempts per stage and a time limit, with adjustable settings that NASA staff could modify live at trade shows. Music, sound effects, and voiceovers enhanced the experience.

Given the reliance on motion tracking, we rigorously tested the software with volunteers to accommodate variations in height, distance from the sensor, and movement styles. We fine-tuned the controls to ensure ease of use and user comfort. The system could also be adjusted on-site to resolve any issues quickly.

The Kennedy Space Center’s Exploration Ground Systems (EGS) program was so impressed that they commissioned us to create a new experience emphasizing preflight preparation. This included stacking rocket parts, driving the crawler to the launch pad, and participating in mission control activities.

Click to see Interactive video reel

Roles:

Creative Director, Designer

Tasks:

• Creative leadership, design and brand execution.

• Managed team of animators and interactive/Kinect developers.

• Managed budget and timeline.

• Led team on concept development and storyboarding.