Editors Note: This event has been rescheduled for Feb. 12, 2018. There is also an additional event at NASA Marshall.
NASA is opening its doors and inviting its social media followers and news media to an in-person ‘State of NASA’ event on Feb. 5 12, 2018, at one of the agency’s locations across the country. The event takes guests on a tour of the center and highlights the work of the agency as we work to send humans to space, create cutting-edge technologies and make scientific discoveries while studying our changing Earth and the infinite universe as we also make progress on the next generation of air travel.
Each center will be connected via a multi-center NASA Television simulcast with NASA acting Administrator Robert Lightfoot at Michoud Assembly Facility during the event. Lightfoot will address the progress made and the exciting work ahead on the agency’s exploration initiative that secures America’s leadership in space.
Participants will get a unique behind the scenes look at the respective center and the diverse work of the agency through tours and presentations with scientists, engineers and managers. The events also will provide guests the opportunity to interact with fellow social media users, space enthusiasts and members of NASA’s social media team.
Social media users interested in attending should register for an in-person event at one of the locations throughout the country. Registration for the NASA Social closes at noon EST on Friday, Jan. 19. Participants will be selected from online submissions.
We have NASA locations in California, Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Ohio, Texas, and Virginia. No two locations are the same. Each center has a different itinerary depending on their location.
NASA’s Ames Research Center, Silicon Valley, CA
What’s it like to work at NASA in Silicon Valley? Up to 12 social media followers will be given a once-in-a-lifetime experience doing hands-on activities that represent Ames’ diverse portfolio of aviation, science and technology research! With guidance from our experts, participants could do things like operate a prototype planetary rover, fly a virtual mission to the Moon, help prepare a space biology experiment, or test autonomous vehicles that could one day assist search-and-rescue teams here on Earth. The day will culminate in a live video stream on Twitch where participants will talk about their experiences and share exciting social moments in a special broadcast of NASA in Silicon Valley Live.
NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center, Edwards, CA
Armstrong Flight Research Center will host up to 40 social media followers to learn about the center’s contributions to the future of aeronautics. Attendees will have a rare opportunity to tour aircraft hangars and support facilities, while seeing cutting-edge aeronautic technologies up-close. The event will also feature panel discussions from experts in unmanned vehicle initiatives and highlight NASA’s X-plane research.
NASA’s Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH
NASA Glenn will host up to 20 social media followers for a behind-the-scenes look at the center’s work in developing the next generation of aircraft and advancing NASA’s mission to send astronauts into deep space. Participants will tour facilities where Glenn engineers are working to design and test quiet supersonic aircraft concepts and see where we accurately simulate the far reaches of space. Attendees will learn about technology that is critical to NASA’s deep-space missions and experience virtual and augmented reality technologies we’re using to unlock the secrets of complex data.
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD
Goddard will host up to 30 social media followers for an all-day event highlighting NASA science, engineering and exploration. Attendees will view the engineering area and the world’s largest cleanroom where spacecraft are built and tested before launch, plus learn about current and upcoming missions that will “touch” the Sun, search for planets orbiting other stars, and study the Earth. There will be opportunities to learn the latest in astrophysics from some of NASA’s great telescopes and find out how nearly all missions communicate with each other and us here on Earth via our satellite communications network. Plus, you’ll get up-close with the continuing science from NASA’s long-running lunar satellite that’s circling our Moon 24/7.
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA
The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) will host up to 25 social media followers to learn about the center’s robotic exploration of the solar system and beyond. Participants will meet scientists and engineers, and go behind the scenes in JPL’s space facilities, including mission control. Featuring projects that track water around the globe and others that will study what’s beneath the surface of Mars, the lab tour will also include glimpses of missions currently being assembled in a JPL clean room.
NASA’s Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX
Johnson Space Center will host up to 20 social media guests to learn about how we’re using low-Earth orbit as a testbed for future exploration missions, from human body research to technology development to inspiring the next generation of explorers. Guests also will visit Mission Control, astronaut training facilities, and space vehicle mockups of our spacecraft that carry current and future explorers.
NASA’s John F. Kennedy Space Center, Kennedy Space Center, FL
Kennedy will host up to 25 social media followers for an afternoon event where they will hear from subject matter experts and learn about the anticipated activities for the center in 2018. The group will learn about the inner workings of how we launch spacecraft to orbit and get the latest on the substantial 2018 launch schedule. They also will find out the preparations underway to prepare for the first launch of our future rocket and space capsules that will eventually carry astronauts away from the Earth to explore space. Additionally, attendees will hear about how we’re working with commercial companies and industry partners to return human spaceflight launches to Florida’s Space Coast this year.
NASA’s Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA
Langley will host up to 20 social media followers for the State of NASA program. Guests will get behind-the-scenes access to NASA’s first field center featuring tours and learning about Langley’s contributions to vehicles that will carry astronauts on future missions of exploration, as well as an up-close look at how Langley makes supersonic flights faster than the speed of sound happen. You’ll also see how NASA tests aviation technologies and conducts cutting-edge Earth science research.
NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility, New Orleans, LA and NASA’s John C. Stennis Space Center, Bay St. Louis, MS
NASA will host up to 40 social media followers Feb. 5 and 6 12 at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, Louisiana and NASA’s John C. Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. At NASA Michoud, participants will see the actual rocket pieces that will launch to space as part of our forthcoming exploration rocket, simulators used to train someone to work on these jumbo rocket sections and hear about the latest progress to send humans on future exploration missions. At nearby NASA Stennis, guests will learn about cutting-edge rocket engine technology in development and the center’s key role in testing of the rocket engines that will power our future exploration rocket into space. Participants will view historic engine test stands where we test fire engines before they propel us off the Earth and into space.
What are NASA Social media credentials? Social media credentials give users a chance to apply for the same access as journalists in an effort to align the access and experience of social media representatives with those of traditional media. People, who actively collect, report, analyze and disseminate news on social networking platforms are encouraged to apply for media credentials. Selection is not random. All social media accreditation applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Those chosen must prove through the registration process they meet specific engagement criteria.
How do I register? Registration is open until noon EST on Friday, Jan. 19. Registration is for one person only (you) and is non-transferable. All social media accreditation applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Do I need to have a social media account to register? Yes. This event is designed for people who:
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Actively use multiple social networking platforms and tools to disseminate information to a unique audience.
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Regularly produce new content that features multimedia elements.
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Have the potential to reach a large number of people using digital platforms.
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Reach a unique audience, separate and distinctive from traditional news media and/or NASA audiences.
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Must have an established history of posting content on social media platforms.
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Have previous postings that are highly visible, respected and widely recognized.
Users on all social media networks are encouraged to use the hashtag #StateOfNASA. Updates and information about the event will be shared on Twitter (@NASA, @NASASocial), Facebook (NASA) and Google+ (NASA).
What are the registration requirements? Registration indicates your intent to travel to one of our NASA field centers and attend the day-long event in person. You are responsible for your own expenses for travel, accommodation, food and other amenities.
Some events and participants scheduled to appear at the event are subject to change without notice. NASA and is not responsible for loss or damage incurred as a result of attending. NASA, moreover, is not responsible for loss or damage incurred if the event is canceled with limited or no notice. Please plan accordingly.
All registrants must be at least 18 years old.
Can I register if I am not a U.S. citizen? Because of the security deadlines, registration is limited to U.S. citizens. If you have a valid permanent resident card, you will be processed as a U.S. citizen. Those who are selected will need to complete an additional registration step to receive clearance to enter the secure areas. To be admitted, you will need to show two government-issued identifications (one with a photo) that match the name provided on the registration. Those without proper identification cannot be admitted. All registrants must be at least 18 years old.
Does my registration include a guest? Because of space limitations, you may not bring a guest. Each registration provides a place for one person only (you) and is non-transferable. Each individual wishing to attend must register separately.
What if I cannot come to a NASA field center in-person? If you cannot come to one of our centers and attend in person, you should not register for the NASA Social. You can follow the conversation using the #StateOfNASA hashtag. You can watch the ‘State of NASA’ broadcast on Feb. 5 on NASA TV or on our website.
If you cannot make this NASA Social, don’t despair; NASA is planning others in the near future at various locations. Check back on https://www.nasa.gov/social for updates.
When will I know if I am selected? After registrations have been received and processed, an email with confirmation information and additional instructions will be sent to those selected. We expect to send notifications no later than Monday, Jan. 22.
What if the event changes? NASA Social attendees are responsible for any additional costs they incur related to any delay. We strongly encourage participants to make travel arrangements that are refundable and/or flexible.
Does registration for and/or attendance at the NASA Social qualify me for media accreditation? No, your registration and/or attendance does not qualify you for news media credentials now or in the future.