Challenge: In 2018, Bechtel sought to re-enter the space industry after nearly three decades by competing for NASA’s $400 million Mobile Launcher 2 (ML2) contract to support the Orion program and the Artemis missions. The high-stakes bid required Bechtel to clearly demonstrate its technical expertise and innovative design approach. With no in-person presentations allowed, the challenge was to effectively showcase the proposed modular construction techniques and design strategies while engaging NASA’s evaluators remotely.

Solution: To meet the challenge, I directed and produced a 58-minute explainer video that served as the core of Bechtel’s proposal. The video showcased the ML2 design and its alignment with NASA’s mission objectives by integrating advanced visualization techniques, including:

• 3D Modeling and BIM: The video prominently featured 3D previsualizations developed in close collaboration with Bechtel’s engineers. These models highlighted the modular construction approach, emphasizing the efficiency, flexibility, and scalability of the design.

• Technical Demonstrations: Animated sequences detailed the modular assembly process, demonstrating how the design would support NASA’s mission requirements while minimizing construction risks and timelines.

• Expert Insights: Interviews with Bechtel’s rocket scientists and engineers contextualized the design’s technical strengths and operational benefits, connecting the visuals to real-world applications.

• Narrative Storytelling: This early previsualization approach not only enhanced the clarity of Bechtel’s technical narrative but also brought the ML2 project to life, enabling NASA’s decision-makers to visualize the design’s feasibility and impact.

Outcome: The innovative use of modular construction principles, 3D modeling, and previsualization within the video helped Bechtel secure the ML2 contract. This win marked Bechtel’s successful return to the space industry and underscored its leadership in delivering complex, high-profile projects.

Impact: The ML2 project is on track for completion in May 2026, with its first launch anticipated shortly thereafter as part of NASA’s Artemis program. This project will play a crucial role in enabling NASA’s missions to return humans to the Moon and establish the foundation for future exploration of Mars.

This case highlights my ability to bridge cutting-edge design visualization with compelling storytelling, working hand-in-hand with engineering teams to deliver impactful results in competitive environments.