NASA Tweetup - Space Shuttle Atlantis Launch - Day 1
Posted by Melissa Carter at 11/15/2009 8:59 AM 
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: Tweetup space shuttle Bert Show Q100 Atlantis Bert Show NASA Melissa
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: Tweetup space shuttle Bert Show Q100 Atlantis Bert Show NASA Melissa
The morning began at 5am, waking up to 2 alarms and a hotel wake-up call. Why so early? The allergies I brought with me from Atlanta forced one eye to swell shut last night, so I wanted to be sure and shower this morning to rinse the offensive allergen from my body. And since I still adorn an aircast, that process takes longer than normal. Plus, I was panicking about being late to the Tweetup, and refused to allow sleeping in to be the reason I missed my NASA experience.
But I made it to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Center with plenty of time to spare. However, I certainly was not the first and was greeted by a few dozen who had made it there before me. I showed my ID and received my bag of goodies from NASA, that included a patch of this Atlantis mission, some programs outlining those involved in the Tweetup and launch, and pins from other NASA projects.
The Tweetup began in the Atlas Room at 8am, with a greeting from NASA's Public Affairs Officer John Yembrick (@NASA). Then the Ares I-X deputy mission manager Jon Cowart explained the science behind launching the space shuttle and how they prepare the vehicle at the launch pad. Wayne Hale (@waynehale), the Strategic Program Planning Manager, talked about the politics of the launch including where to dump the fuel tanks as well as space sickness and how 60% of astronauts get immediately sick in the "vomit comet" in Texas.
He was followed by Astronaut Mike Massimino (@Astro_Mike) who talked about the current crew that will take Atlantis to the International Space Station this week. Massimino was part of missions on Columbia and Atlantis, and mentioned how during his spacewalk he felt like a real "Space Man" and said during those walks he felt the view is what Heaven must look like. He was also the first to Tweet from space. Veronica McGregor (@veronicamcg) is part of the Public Affairs Department at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and talked about their work in robotics that paved the way for humans in space. She started the Mars Phoenix Twitter account (@MarsPhoenix) last year, which was done in 1st person to make it seem the lander was the one Tweeting.
Miles O'Brien (@milesobrien), who you may remember from CNN, talked about how science was introduced to the news channel and his involvement in it's coverage. He also shared stories of his experiences with veteran anchorman Walter Cronkite.
It was then off to explore the Visitor Center and grab a bite to eat. Along my walk I saw old rockets, artwork dedicated to former astronauts, and Snoopy. But everywhere you could feel the excitement of the Atlantis launch, and the knowledge that very few space shuttle missions remained.
We boarded buses to the International Space Station Center, where we found not only replicas of what takes place in space at the ISS, but got a bird's eye view of actual work being done on projects for the station. One thing to point out, driving around the area you do not feel like you are headed to touristy destinations. This government-run property (which is bigger than Walt Disney World, by the way) is very bland in color and presentation. I'm sure that is done to keep their work private when necessary.
Everyone who has watched Apollo 13 gets emotional about the beating-the-odds theme of the movie. But coming to the Apollo/Saturn Center holds you in a sense of awe since the actual crafts are on display from the Apollo missions. Even the real Command Center from back in the day has been reassembled and is incorporated in a short film about how we got to the moon. I was like a kid in that place today, smiling without realizing it at all the science and technology that burst out of the 50's and 60's. One of the themes of NASA I have learned is "Failure Is Not An Option." Even if one mission goes badly, that tragedy is immediately investigated and a solution incorporated so that no one loses their life in vain. Similar to the military's "No Man Left Behind" philosophy, even if the body has to be left behind a fallen astronaut's spirit is never forgotten or taken for granted.
But the highlight of the day was still to come. The generous folks at NASA allowed us private access to the LAUNCHING PAD! We were able to be within a half-mile of Atlantis as she sat upon her temporary throne. I never knew there was casing that surrounded the shuttle before launch, allowing last-minute maintenance to take place. However, just hours later it was pulled back and tonight she stands naked and ready for launch. (Click here to see LIVE pictures before launch.)
What an incredible day. Thank you, NASA.
And why a Tweetup? John Yembrick from NASA explains on our bus tour, but be warned. He's sideways. Dammit, Jim, I'm a Tweeter not a Videographer. My bad, but I thought the information was more important than my embarrassing camera skills. (Click here to see John on his side explain why NASA wanted us here.)
And more is in store for us tomorrow. Be sure and watch Good Morning America Monday for their coverage of the launch (and maybe a shout out to us Tweeters), click here to follow everything that is going on at the Kennedy Space Center this weekend, and be sure to follow me on Twitter (@MelissaCarter) for all my updates! (We will be in our TWENT - as I've already heard it called- by that famous countdown clock near the launch site in the morning, so plenty more Tweets and another Blog to come!)
So proud of you. Just need more pictures of you.
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If you get the chance to meet astronomer Dr. Pamela Gay while at the tweetup, you should talk with her. She is made of awesome.
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I did, Clair! I've also seen her several times at DragonCon!
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How could I forget you come to DragonCon?
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Very cool coverage, Melissa! My husband and I caught the ARES I-X launch in late Oct (after the 2nd try) and I also was put down by my allergies while we were there. We're definitely going to make the March and/or May launches next Spring. Did you get any insider tips on how to get to be one of the *chosen ones* to get close to the action? My husband would possibly sell his soul to be up-close to a launch. He's only been to one scrubbed launch and the ARES launch so I really want to get him in there in one of these last shuttle launches.
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Thanks for sharing your Tweetup experience! Also, check out Virtualdub (http://www.virtualdub.org/). It's a free software utility for editing video and one things it lets you do it fix video recorded in the "wrong" orientation. I've had to fix a few videos like that myself
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