Exploration of the Moon between communication and science

The goal of this research is to characterize the potential of extended reality technologies, specifically virtual reality, in the context of public engagement. The research was conducted with a proactive approach, as a considerable portion of the research activity was devoted to the development of an innovative product, based on scientific contents, to be subsequently presented to the public. This allowed us to explore the critical issues related to the development of virtual reality experiences, in order to understand the challenges and opportunities offered by this medium. The primary goal was to develop a product that could achieve a high level of engagement while maintaining a good degree of realism concerning the scientific contents presented and an acceptable level of comfort and enjoyment in terms of experience. The result of this development was the virtual experience MOON RESCUER, in which the user operates within the context of a hypothetical future lunar base camp. The immersion and interactivity that characterize virtual reality allowed the development of a product that is engaging, experiential, effective, and challenging for users. The main target audience for the product developed in this context consists of young adults, who are often attracted to new technologies and interactive experiences. However, the experience was designed and developed with a level of accessibility that allows it to be appreciated by a broader general audience. MOON RESCUER was tested in different contexts with public: feedback reveal that the experiences achieves a high level of engagement and a good level of effectiveness in transfering scientific contents. Also scientist tested the experience, providing positive feedback in term of both scientific accuracy and communicative effectiveness. In general, different actors, including scientists, communication professionals, and common people have taken part in the public engagement operation developed around MOON RESCUER: thus, the project constituted an opportunity to enhance relationships among science and public, in the spirit of a synergy aimed at collective well-being that underlies this new plural model of communication.