NASA Social connecting and collaborating with NASA
A few weeks ago I was noodling around on Twitter (@weejan) as I do daily and because I have (since the mid-90′s) been a fan of NASA I started taking a closer look at all the NASA related hastags. I came upon #NASASocial. This hashtag led me to quite a fun, engaging concept and an opportunity of a lifetime. NASA has been creating a huge following and expanding its impact on social media fans for quite some time… at least a a few years. Where have I been? How could I have missed this opportunity until just this month?
Here is what you will find on NASA Social’s site explaining NASA Social…
Oh and be sure to watch Arlo Midgett’s ( participant at the STS-132 Space Shuttle Launch Tweetup at Kennedy Space Center in Florida) video on the official NASA Social page! WAY COOL!!
What is a NASA Social?
NASA Social is the next evolution in the agency’s social media efforts. NASA’s Tweetups, which have brought thousands of people together for a unique social media experience into its programs of exploration and discovery, are aligning with the expanding online community. The highly-successful and widely recognized NASA Tweetup now will be known as NASA Social. A NASA Social is an informal meeting of people who engage with NASA social media accounts. Socials provide NASA followers with the opportunity to go behind-the-scenes at NASA facilities and events and speak with scientists, engineers, astronauts and managers. NASA Socials range from two hours to two days in length and include a “meet and greet” session to allow participants to mingle with fellow socialites and the people behind NASA’s social media accounts. Registration for NASA Socials will be announced on this page, @NASA and @NASASocial. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory held the first NASA social media event, a Tweetup, on Jan. 21, 2009. NASA Headquarters held its first Tweetup July 21, 2009.
I noticed that there was an upcoming NASA Social event planned for Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base (where, coincidentally, our son is attending test pilot school) to honor and welcome Space Shuttle Endeavour as it travels to it’s new home, the California Science Museum from Florida.
Wow… 40 of NASA’s social media followers would be invited to spend two days for a Tweetup event and…
- View the landing and departure of Endeavour as it rides piggyback on NASA’s 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft
- Tour shuttle support vehicles and other NASA aircraft
- Interact with fellow NASA social media followers, space enthusiasts and members of NASA’s social media team.
- View and take photographs of Endeavour as it lands, stages and departs for Los Angeles
But, I was TOO LATE to apply! Sad me.
I would have loved to been involved in this event but that’s okay! When you lose an opportunity sometimes a new door opens! I checked out the other NASA Social events and hey… look at October 15, 2012! A chance to participate Join the First NASA Social at the Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex in California’s Mojave Desert.
I quickly applied throwing caution to the wind. After all… I have a day job. (Director – Information & Technology Services at an area school district) And.. you do have to pay your own way, find your own transportation. Use your own vacation days or whatever else available (personal days). Besides, I thought there was NO WAY that I would be selected. It was a pipe dream. Something so cool that there was so little chance it wouldn’t happen.
But, sometimes fate intercedes! And, maybe faith, too. Five days ago, on September 11, 2012 ( a fateful anniversary that brings sadness to all of us) I received an email that is about to change my life… or at least make it a lot more exciting! 
Talk about exciting… NASASocial’s efforts to bring everyday followers together have even been highlighted in Forbe’s.
So, what’s next? Well stay tuned… I am about to be on a very interesting adventure. The flight is booked. The details are coming into focus and it is clear to me that I need to get my act together and prepare for the NASA Tweetup ahead.
NASA Tweet Wiki
Some of the twitter hashtags and accounts to follow to stay updated on NASASocial and the NASA Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex include any of the attendees found on the NASA Tweetup Wiki
@NASASocial
@tweetupspace
@ageekmom
@GomezJames
@therealdflux
@ridingrobots
@weejan (of course!)
#Goldstone
#NASASocial and the NASASocial web
#Endeavour
Engagement- yes! I am from Wisconsin but that is the state I am in!
