In some ways NASA has been slow to embrace new web tech, but in other ways it’s done really well. For example Spirit and Opportunity, the Mars rovers, were on Facebook and MySpace years ago, posting like they were teenage sisters, sniping at one another a bit. It was great, and really made it fun to follow them. Now, too, there are a lot of NASA Twitter feeds, including one from astronaut Mike Massimino who tweeted live from the Hubble servicing mission (and who has nearly 400,000 followers as I write this).
I just found out via Boston.com that NASA may be planning on inviting people who use Twitter to the launch of the Shuttle Discovery in August. I think this is a pretty good idea, as this could reach millions of people, and if done well could be very exciting and fun. It’s a logistical nightmare, of course, making sure all the tweeters have good access including the ability to upload images in real time. I suspect they can figure that stuff out. They’re NASA.
And it just so happens I know a couple of folks with popular live-space-coverage Twitter feeds, so if anyone from NASA in charge of all this needs ideas on where to send the invites, well, ahem.
Tip o’ the spacesuit visor to the outer-spacey Rebecca.
June 2nd, 2009 at 2:02 pm
I saw this on Digg, and it gave me a little bit of a pause. Of course, I want in on this!
June 2nd, 2009 at 2:34 pm
Speaking of Twitter, I just found out about this over the weekend: http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2009/05/do_the_boston_police_know_some.php
June 2nd, 2009 at 2:35 pm
I just want a twitter feed, or something else, that can notify me when the shuttles are to land at Edwards. Would be easier if there was a shuttle twitter account that gave just shuttle updates. Then I could get those updates to my phone.
June 2nd, 2009 at 2:37 pm
Off-topic, but since this is about NASA, I read on Universe Today that Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center has been officially handed over to the Constellation Program. The handover took place last Sunday after space shuttle Endeavour was moved to Launch Pad 39A. The ground operations team will finish modifying pad B for in time for first flight test of the Ares I-X rocket, currently scheduled for around August 30 of this year. Modifications will include removing the orbiter access arm and a section of the gaseous oxygen vent arm and installing access platforms and a vehicle stabilization system.
Those guys at NASA don’t mess about.
June 2nd, 2009 at 4:11 pm
Hey Frank:
http://twitter.com/NASA
(just start folowing, don’t know if they notify about landing)
June 2nd, 2009 at 4:45 pm
Since I’m sure BA appreciates the value of proper attribution, the article in question is by Reuters, not Boston.com.
June 2nd, 2009 at 5:29 pm
At the JPL Open House they used tweet grid (google that). It was very effective.
June 2nd, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Speaking of NASA, I got some pics of this evening’s piggyback landing. Check the link in the name if you’re interested.
IVAN3MAN: I was out there today (39B), and they were all set to take off the beanie cap (or at least that was the day’s plan). Unfortunately the whole operation got interrupted by lightning warnings. Such is life in Florida, I guess.
Phil; if you do get picked for this, let’s have a hoot’n'nanny nearby.
June 2nd, 2009 at 9:46 pm
Uh … LOL I follow but KTHXBAI = what please? (Puzzled, non-tweeter or texter.)
June 2nd, 2009 at 10:26 pm
I’m one of those Twits (not the right name?) , and I would be up for a shuttle launch!!!
June 3rd, 2009 at 3:46 am
KTHXBAI = OK, Thanks, Bye!
June 5th, 2009 at 3:53 pm
Perhaps you were referring to the Mars rovers’ putative LiveJournals, http://spiritrover.livejournal.com/ and http://opportunitygrrl.livejournal.com/ ?
June 6th, 2009 at 1:04 am
Thanks Sophia8.