Aurora Ortega launches a space-themed virtual experience into orbit

When Aurora Ortega first entered University Libraries’ Virtual Environments Studio (VES), she wasn’t a seasoned virtual reality developer — she was just a student with an idea and the willingness to learn a new medium from scratch.

“My role was to show what you could achieve with the VES given an idea and the motivation to bring that idea to life,” the creative technologies student said.

Her plan: create a space-themed virtual reality (VR) experience that places users inside a satellite, where they can interact with floating panels that explore the isolation of spaceflight.

Learning a new medium

Before joining the Virtual Environments Studio, her creative work focused on 2D game design and storytelling, making VR development feel like an entirely different universe. The moment she first experienced her concept through a headset marked a turning point in the project.

“Seeing my idea in VR for the first time was exciting,” she said. “That was when I thought, ‘Oh, this is new.’ There’s some stuff you can only learn by doing, especially in VR, because it changes how we interact with computers.”

The VR experience places archival materials into an immersive environment, using items from the Michael Collins Papers housed in the Special Collections and University Archives, which contains the personal notes of the astronaut that solo-orbited the Moon during the Apollo 11 mission. 

“Hearing about how Collins spent time alone in the lunar orbiter really struck me,” she said. “My work is aimed at connecting with people, so I thought it was interesting to explore loneliness through a virtual exhibit.”

The VR experience balances historical media with developed assets inspired by NASA imagery and sound from the Voyager Golden Record. This helps to ground the user and encourages reflection on technology, distance, and human connection.

Designing beyond the comfort zone

Creating the project meant navigating unfamiliar tools, such as Unity and the broader VR development ecosystem, which Ortega describes as both challenging and transformative.

“There were a lot of times where I felt like if I had been designing in 2D or 3D, I wouldn’t have to consider the same things,” she said. “VR is so unique.”

These trials redefined how she approached her project. Regular feedback from library staff and peers helped refine the experience and pushed her to share work she once hesitated to show. 

“That back-and-forth during the design process led to most of the growth,” she said. “I used to feel like my work wasn’t good enough to show. But even if something isn’t perfect, it can still make people smile and feel excited.”

The power of creative spaces at Virginia Tech

For Ortega, the Virtual Environments Studio represents more than just advanced technology. It’s a collaborative environment where ideas evolve through shared expertise. 

“It’s not only a large suite of tools,” she said. “There’s a lot of experience within the studios. Having that support makes a huge difference.”

With access to specialized equipment and mentorship, Ortega was able to take the seed of an idea, and create a polished public project. Now her career opportunities are expanded to include future plans in VR game development. 

“I’m glad to have made something I could present publicly and complete for a client,” she said. “It shows that I can collaborate creatively and bring a project across the finish line.”

A student voice in an immersive future

As immersive technologies continue to grow, Ortega believes it’s essential that student voices help shape their future.

“Virginia Tech has so many different perspectives. Sharing those through immersive experiences is important,” she said. “Seeing what my peers create inspires me, and I think it’s important to share that spirit.”