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See Our Next Communications Satellite Launch from Florida at a NASA Social

NASA will give 50 of its social media followers an insider’s look at America’s space program and the opportunity to see a launch in-person. The NASA Social, scheduled for Jan. 23 to coincide with the launch of NASA’s Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS-L), will be held at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

NASA Socials are in-person meetings with people who engage with the agency through Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and other social networks.
TDRS-L is targeted to launch at 9:05 p.m. EST Jan. 23 on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket.
Registration for the NASA Social opens on this page on Friday, Dec. 27 and closes at 3 p.m. EST Monday, Jan. 6. Participants will be selected from online registrations. Because portions of this event may take place in restricted areas, registration is limited to U.S. citizens.    

NASA Social participants will have the opportunity to:

  • View the launch of the Atlas V rocket carrying TDRS-L
  • Hear first-hand accounts of the mission development and research goals from the TDRS-L science and engineering teams from NASA Kennedy, Goddard and other organizations
  • Get a behind-the-scenes tour of the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (Note: All sites on KSC / CCAFS are subject to closure due to mission or operation requirements), including potential opportunities to:
    • Inside look of Vehicle Assembly Building
    • Tour of Launch Pad 39B
    • Tour of United Launch Alliance Launch Complex 41
  • Meet and interact with representatives from NASA and other organizations.
  • Meet fellow space enthusiasts who are active on social media
  • Meet members of NASA’s social media team

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What is a NASA Social?
A NASA Social is an informal meeting of people who use social networking sites such as Twitter, Facebook and Google+. Participants at this event will be provided a unique in-person experience with NASA, which they are encouraged to share with others through their favorite social network.

How do I register?
Registration for the NASA Social opens on this page on Friday, Dec. 27 and closes at 3 p.m. EST Monday, Jan. 6.  Participants will be randomly selected from online registrations. Registration is for one person only (you) and is non-transferable.

Additional registrants will be placed on a waiting list.

Do I need to have a social media account to register?
Yes. This event is designed for active social media users who follow NASA on Twitter (@NASA, @NASASocial, @NASAGoddard, @ExploreSpaceKSC, @NASAKennedy, @NASA_LSP), Facebook (NASA, NASA Kennedy, NASA Goddard and Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex) or Google+ (NASA, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex). The goal of NASA Social is to allow people who regularly interact with each other via social networks to meet in person and discuss space exploration.
Users on all social networks are encouraged to use the hashtag #NASASocial and #TDRS. Updates and information about the event will be shared on Twitter via @NASAKennedy, @NASAGoddard, @NASA_LSP and @NASASocial and via posts to Facebook and Google+.

If you are not a regular user of social media and just want to see a spacecraft launch, NASA offers other ways to experience a launch. Learn more at https://sna.hq.nasa.gov/,DanaInfo=www.nasa.gov+centers/kennedy/launchingrockets/viewing.html.

What are the registration requirements?
Registration indicates your intent to travel to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida and attend the one-day 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 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 cancelled with limited or no notice. Please plan accordingly.
The Kennedy Space Center is a government facility. Those who are selected to attend 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.

Can I register if I am not a U.S. citizen?
Because portions of this event may take place in restricted areas, registration is limited to U.S. citizens.

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 the Kennedy Space Center?
If you cannot come to the Kennedy Space Center and attend in person, you should not register for the NASA Social. You can follow the conversation using the #NASASocial hashtag on Twitter. NASA may broadcast a portion of the program on Jan 23. You can watch the launch on Jan. 23 on NASA TV. NASA will provide regular launch and mission updates on @NASA@NASAKennedy and @NASA_LSP.

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://sna.hq.nasa.gov/,DanaInfo=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 and those on the waitlist. We expect to send notifications no later than Jan. 9, 2014.
If you do not make the registration list for this NASA Social, you can still attend the launch and participate in the conversation online. Find out about ways to experience a launch at https://sna.hq.nasa.gov/,DanaInfo=www.nasa.gov+centers/kennedy/launchingrockets/viewing.html.  

What if the spacecraft’s launch date changes?

Hundreds of different factors can cause a scheduled launch date to change multiple times. The launch date will not be official until after the Flight Readiness Review, which is scheduled for Jan. 17. If the launch date changes prior to then, NASA may adjust the date of the NASA Social accordingly to coincide with the new target launch date. NASA will notify registrants of any changes by email.

If the launch is postponed for 12 hours on Jan. 23, attendees will be invited to attend the launch on Jan. 24. NASA cannot accommodate attendees for delays beyond 72 hours.

NASA Social attendees are responsible for any additional costs they incur related to any launch 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?

Your NASA Social registration and/or attendance does not qualify you for news media credentials at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, now or in the future.

Can you tell me more information on the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS-L) mission?

The TDRS Project is building three space communications satellites that are part of a follow-on spacecraft fleet that will replenish NASA’s Space Network. The TDRS Project Office at Goddard Space Flight Center manages the TDRS development effort. TDRS is the responsibility of the Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) office within the Human Exploration and Operations (HEO) Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington D.C. Operations of the network are the responsibility of the Space Network Project at Goddard.

In December 2007, NASA signed a contract for Boeing Space Systems to build two third generation TDRS spacecraft for launch in 2013 and 2014. An option for a third TDRS spacecraft was executed in 2011. Within the contract there were required modifications that would enable the White Sands Complex ground system to support the new spacecraft.

The January 30, 2013 launch of TDRS-K began the replenishment of the fleet through the development and deployment of the next generation spacecraft. Replenishment will continue with TDRS-L, scheduled to launch in 2014, TDRS-M which will be ready in 2015. These satellites will ensure the Space Network’s continuation of around-the-clock, high throughput communications services to NASA’s missions; serving the scientific community and human spaceflight program for many years to come.

To learn more about Tracking and Data Relay Satellite, visit: https://sna.hq.nasa.gov/,DanaInfo=www.tdrs.gsfc.nasa.gov+

Have a question not answered here? Need more information? Help is available by sending an email to HQ-Social@mail.nasa.gov.

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