[View the story "SpaceX Dragon Launch NASA Social" on Storify ]SpaceX Dragon Launch NASA Social
On May 18-19, NASA gathered social media mavens together to celebrate the launch of the SpaceX Dragon heading to the International Space Station. While the launch ended up being scrubbed, we still had a great couple of days and learned a lot about SpaceX, NASA, and commercial space travel.
Storified by Crystal Coleman · Sun, May 20 2012 17:27:01
We are ready for the #NASASocial tomorrow with @SpaceX! #DragonLaunch http://pic.twitter.com/y2vkd3jHNASA Social
After picking up our badges, we were greeted with some pretty sweet parking.
Why yes, that is my car next to that shuttle. #NASASocial http://pic.twitter.com/sZGDnIqACrystal Coleman
The excitement abounded as we all arrived, met each other, and set up our stations for the day.
Here’s what’s happening today… http://bit.ly/JnFQWr @SpaceX #NASASocialdazeofadventure
Our first speaker was Gwynne Shotwell, president of SpaceX.
Gwynne ShotwellThat Girl Crystal
President of @SpaceX Gwynne Shotwell says partnership between SpaceX and @NASA is "extraordinary." #NASASocialCrystal Coleman
#NASASocial – Gwynne Shotwell @SpaceX Prez: “Come on, we’re going to be there! Let us carry some stuff!” #DragonLaunchdanielle whelton
Gwynne Shotwell to all children "Stay excited about space! We are at the dawn of a new age…" #NASASocial #homeschooldazeofadventure
Next was Ed Mango, Program Manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.
NASA Social (201205180002HQ)nasa hq photo
Motto of @NASA’s Commercial Crew Program is "Same Crew… New Ride" #NASASocialCrystal Coleman
The current contract with Congress provides for ISS Support through 2020 #NASASocialCrystal Coleman
"If we dream it, it’ll happen" – Ed Mango on the future of crewed missions post-Shuttle era. #NASASocialCrystal Coleman
Space research is ultimately "all about the people on earth" says Ed Mango, @NASA Commercial Crew Program Officer #NASASocialCrystal Coleman
Ed Mango says we’re going "from airlines to spacelines" in the next 20-30 years #NASASocialCrystal Coleman
And even more speakers… Scott Colloredo:
Scott Colloredo, NASA Ground Systems Development & OperationsDaniel J. Grinkevich
Scott Colloredo, Chief Architect for the @NASA GSDO (Ground Systems Development and Ops) up next! #NASASocialCrystal Coleman
"Eventually Mars is the place we’d like to be," says Scott Colloredo. #NASASocialCrystal Coleman
Scott: "The LEGOs us boys used to play with–" #SpaceTweep interrupts: "AND GIRLS"! YES! #NASASocial #girlpowerLibby Norcross
"Challenge… and a blessing" to upgrade the existing buildings for new era. Was designed with a lot of margin. #NASASocialCrystal Coleman
"The one thing we’re not playing with is the speed" of the Crawler says Scott. Tops out at a mile an hour. #NASASocialCrystal Coleman
"We keep reminding them, don’t build a rocket bigger than the VAB." #ScottColloredo #NASASocialCrystal Coleman
Next up at #NASASocial – Jose Nunez & Todd Arnold with the International Space Station programNASATweet.com
Jose NunezThat Girl Crystal
Assembly complete of ISS, now in Full Utilization era. #NASASocialCrystal Coleman
Todd ArnoldThat Girl Crystal
Full Assembly means that ISS can focus more on research: human health, technology, physical sciences, nat’l labs, and partners #NASASocialCrystal Coleman
Jose Nunez reiterates that what they work on in ISS is really all for us on earth #NASASocialCrystal Coleman
And then, Josy Byerly, launch commentator for NASA.
Josh ByerlyThat Girl Crystal
"It’s like we’re studying for a test" when commentators prepare for a lunch, especially of new craft like @SpaceX #NASASocialCrystal Coleman
"We are busier now that we’ve ever been before" – Josh on the ISS in post-Shuttle era. #NASASocialCrystal Coleman
Josh says that in Russia, they’re only a km away from launch site for Souyz launches… wow! #NASASocialCrystal Coleman
"They look at earth… I don’t think that view would ever get old." Josh says on what the astronauts do for fun in the #ISS #NASASocialCrystal Coleman
Souyz landing "Is not for the faint of heart." Lands at 20-30 mph. #NASASocialCrystal Coleman
NASA/SpaceX Hold NASA Social for Falcon 9 Launchnasatelevision
After lunch, it was time for our tour to start.
OPF 1That Girl Crystal
First stop: OPF Bay 1 #NASASocialCrystal Coleman
We just got to stroll around under #atlantis. Cannot wait to upload pics. #NASASocialCrystal Coleman
We couldn’t take cell phones inside the Orbiter Processing Facility, so no insta-tweets, but the experience was an amazing one.
Atlantis in OPF 1That Girl Crystal
Atlantis – Tile Close-UpThat Girl Crystal
Atlantis – Docking stationThat Girl Crystal
Atlantis and IThat Girl Crystal
Next stop: Launch Pad 40, SpaceX facility.
NASA Social (201205180004HQ)nasa hq photo
@SpaceX Dragon on the pad. #NASASocial (@ Launch Complex 40 w/ 10 others) [pic]: http://4sq.com/JDsPeKCrystal Coleman
SpaceX Falcon 9/DragonThat Girl Crystal
The @SpaceX Falcon9 is actually named after the Millennium Falcon #NASASocial #DragonLaunchCrystal Coleman
My new BFF. Garrett. He’ll help oversee the manned @spacex missions…. {ahem} #pickme http://pic.twitter.com/SDzLGyFYdazeofadventure
Falcon9 on the pad for tomorrow’s #DragonLaunch #NASASocial http://pic.twitter.com/xYQz3WrCCrystal Coleman
A quick drive by Launch Pad 39A before heading to the Vehicle Assembly Building.
Launch Pad A, the only one still set up in Shuttle setup. #NASASocial http://pic.twitter.com/tSahw325Crystal Coleman
Inside one of the awe inspiring buildings you could ever go in.
Wow. Just… Wow. #NASASocial http://pic.twitter.com/SukvkFqlCrystal Coleman
Fun fact: the Crawlers cannot go in reverse. #NASASocial http://pic.twitter.com/xuoIcjBSCrystal Coleman
We ended the day at the Saturn V Center where NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver met and spoke with us
Garver NASA Social (201205180005HQ)nasa hq photo
Inspirational #women of #NASAsocial #DragonLaunch: @SpaceX’s Gwynne Shotwell and @NASA’s @Lori_Garver #spaceAmanda Barber
After the Saturn V Center, we headed back for a group photo and to go off and get some rest before the early start Saturday.
Hey guys from the NASA Social you look good in front of the VAB Enjoy!! http://flic.kr/p/c1mvQdNASA HQ PHOTO
NASA Social (201205180006HQ)nasa hq photo
We’re here! And mostly awake! #NASASocial #DragonLaunch (@ Press Site w/ 11 others) [pic]: http://4sq.com/JFhomKCrystal Coleman
KSC NASA News Center AnnexThat Girl Crystal
Yessssssss! RT “@twirlandswirl: I’ve never seen so much energy radiating in a room of half-asleep people. #NASASocial #DragonLaunch”Crystal Coleman
We’re pretty perky for 3am. #NASASocial #dragonlaunchkelleytastic
Ryan Puri speaks to eloquently about his team’s research and the program. Great job, Ryan! Best of luck with the project! #NASASocialCrystal Coleman
Ryan PuriThat Girl Crystal
"Feel any pressure?" Ryan: "Not as much as @ElonMusk is probably feeling." This kid is a natural! #NASASocialCrystal Coleman
#RyanPuri says experience taught him that science and research is for anyone who wants to learn, not just those with privilege. #NASASocialCrystal Coleman
Ryan’s advice: "When you see an opportunity like this, take it and strive hard. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity." #NASASocialCrystal Coleman
Today’s demonstration mission is primarily designed to provide NASA and SpaceX with insight to ensure successful future missions.SpaceX
"This is #Falcon launch control." Damn that sounds SO COOL over the speakers in the #NASASocial workspace. #DragonLaunch @SpaceXdanielle whelton
Charlie Bolden (NASA Administrator) and Bob Cabana (KSC Director) speaking now #NASASocialCrystal Coleman
Charlie Bolden and Bob CabanaThat Girl Crystal
Bob Cabana: "This is a big deal." on @SpaceX being the first commercial company to attempt launch #NASASocial #DragonLaunchCrystal Coleman
While we waited for the launch, we caught a passover from the International Space Station
ISS flying over Dragon launch padcell911
Lady Dragon is getting ready to show her stuff! #NASASocial #dragonlaunchkelleytastic
Unfortunately, with .5 seconds before liftoff, the launch was aborted. We headed back to the news annex to await news about what happened.
Launch aborted: slightly high combustion chamber pressure on engine 5. Will adjust limits for countdown in a few days.Elon Musk
Am glad they scrubbed the mission instead of saying, "Well, maybe this CHECK ENGINE light is a false positive." #NASASocialJeffrey Holton
RT @schierholz: To #NASASocial – you had an awesome time yesterday. And you still saw history being on site for 1st #DragonLaunch attemptdazeofadventure
By the way folks, this is not a failure. A failure is when you lose the vehicle. Scrubs protect against that event. #DragonLaunchChris B – NSF
SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell is the best spokesperson for this launch. So articulate. Huge fan. #nasasocial #dragonlaunchserenety hanley
NASA媒体简报会现场：SpaceX总裁Gwynne Shotwell 总结今天发射的问题和下一步的计划 #Dragon LaunchIsaacMao
As some attendees stuck around, some headed home or the the airport, for one lucky group, the fun extended when they ran into Gwynne Shotwell at the Ron Jon Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach… even high-powered Presidents need to pick up souvenirs.
@SpaceX Gwynne Shotwell – outside #RonJons with @DestinyRoxx and @DorrainePetras. WOWEE!!! #nasasocial #nasa http://instagr.am/p/Kz7fOEB2mJ/danielle whelton
RT @NASAKennedy: #NASASocial attendees shared their thoughts online this morning about today’s activiites at Kennedy. http://go.nasa.gov/J32HpmRichard Marston
One last takeaway for me… after seeing one of my pictures of the shuttle mock-up, I discovered that my 2 1/2 year old nephew was now obsessed with the Space Shuttle. While it makes me sad that the Shuttle program is over, his enthusiasm… along with the enthusiasm of all the NASA employees, reminds me that even greater things are in store for the post-Shuttle era.
The Next GenerationThat Girl Crystal
