NASA informed me Yesterday that I had been chosen to attend the launch of the Space Shuttle Endeavour on April 19, 2011 as part of their @NASATweetup program. I get to go and Tweet out my experience … and according to their website:
“The Tweetup will provide @NASA followers with the opportunity to tour the center, view the shuttle launch and speak with NASA managers, astronauts, shuttle technicians and engineers. The event also will provide participants the opportunity to meet fellow tweeps and NASA’s social media team.”
Too cool huh!!? The downsides are that I have to pay my own way (although I’m trying hard to get funding – probably won’t make it otherwise). And of course launch delays are not uncommon … so reservations need to be soft and you know things might happen after you’ve gotten there, but it’s all worth it!
And I won’t be alone, also according to the NASA site:
” … 150 of its Twitter followers on April 18-19 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Space shuttle Endeavour is targeted to launch at 7:48 p.m. EDT on April 19, on its STS-134 mission to the International Space Station.
I informed my students today of my possible trip by having them spend 15 minutes researching the Space Shuttle Endeavour (which I managed to mis-spell “Endeavor” … which they happily informed me as their search began). Once they had learned a bit I explained what might be happening. They were pumped!
This will be the last journey of the Endeavour, as the Space Shuttles are being retired after these last hurrahs. Commander Mark Kelly (Congresswoman Giffords husband) along with his crew will head off to the International Space Station:
“… will deliver the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) and spare parts including two S-band communications antennas, a high-pressure gas tank, additional spare parts for Dextre and micrometeoroid debris shields.”
Here’s hoping things work out and I get to make the trip!
Learning is messy!
That is fantastic! Wishing you luck so you can attend this great opportunity.
Congratulations Brian! That is fantastic. I hope you get to go.
That is VERY cool! Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy. Keep us posted as to how you’re making out getting the funding.
Brian Says: Thanks – I will. Have a couple of people trying to piece it together. Have a few more to talk to about it. Fingers crossed.
Congrats! I am an elementary technology teacher and got to attend the last launch of the Discovery back in Feb. Truly a life moment enjoy!
My husband filmed the liftoff through a telescope – kind fun – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfO9Yo4LFoY