NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, Calif., will host a Tweetup for approximately 120 Twitter followers on Monday, June 6 for the full day (roughly 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PDT).

With four space missions launching this year and an asteroid belt encounter nearly underway, 2011 will be one of the busiest ever in planetary exploration. Tweetup participants will interact with JPL scientists and engineers about these upcoming missions: Aquarius, to study ocean salinity; Grail, to study the moon's gravity field; Juno to Jupiter; and the Mars Science Laboratory/Curiosity rover. Participants also will learn about the Dawn mission and its upcoming encounter with the asteroid Vesta.

The Tweetup will include a tour of JPL, robotics demonstrations and a last chance to see the Curiosity rover before it ships to Florida to prepare for a November launch. Tour stops will include the Spacecraft Assembly Facility where Curiosity is under construction, the mission control center of NASA's Deep Space Network, and JPL's new Earth Science Visitor Center.

Tweetup participants also will mingle with fellow attendees and the staff behind the tweets on @NASA and @NASAJPL, @MarsRovers, @AsteroidWatch and more.

Registration for the event was open from noon Pacific Time (3 p.m. EDT) on Tuesday, April 26, and closesd at noon Pacific Time (3 p.m. EDT) on Wednesday, April 27.

What is a Tweetup?

A Tweetup is an informal meeting of people who use the social messaging medium Twitter. This Tweetup is an opportunity in Pasadena, Calif.

How do I register?

Registration opened at noon Pacific Time (3 p.m. EDT) on Tuesday, April 26, on this page and closed 24 hours later at noon Pacific Time (3 p.m. EDT) on Wednesday, April 27. JPL will accommodate 120 tweeps randomly selected from those who register. Additional registrants will be placed on a waiting list.

Registration is for one person only (you) and is non-transferrable.

Do I need to have a Twitter account to register?

Yes. This event is designed for Twitter users who follow @NASA, @NASAJPL and other NASA Twitter accounts. The goal of NASA Tweetups is to allow people who regularly interact with each other via Twitter to meet in person and discuss their favorite subjects: space and science.

The Twitter account for the Tweetup details and updates is @JPLTweetup, and the hashtag is #NASATweetup. We'll use both to post updates and reminders about the event.

What are the registration requirements?

Registration indicates your intent to travel, if you are selected, to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif. and attend the 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 Tweetup are subject to change based on mission needs and requirements.

JPL is a government facility. To be admitted, you will need to show a government-issued identification (driver's license or passport) that matches the name provided on the registration. Those without proper identification cannot be admitted. Registrants must be at least 18 years old.

Can I register if I am not a U.S. citizen?

Yes, non-U.S. citizens may register to attend the Tweetup in Pasadena, Calif. Those who are selected will need to complete an additional registration step to receive clearance to enter JPL. To be admitted, you will need to show additional identification, including a passport, visa and/or alien registration card matching 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-transferrable. Each individual wishing to attend must register separately.

What if I cannot come to California?

If you cannot attend in person, you do not need to register for the Tweetup. However, you can still plan to follow along with the event on Twitter via the hashtag #NASATweetup. JPL intends to broadcast the Tweetup on June 6 at: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nasajpl2. Portions will also be broadcast at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nasa-hd-tv.

If you can't make this Tweetup, don't despair; NASA is planning others in the near future at various agency locations. You can also arrange to visit JPL on another date by scheduling a free public tour at http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/events/tours

When will I know if I am selected?

After JPL has received the registrations, 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 May 4.

Does registration for and/or attendance at the Tweetup qualify me for media accreditation?

No, your Tweetup registration and/or attendance does not qualify you for news media credentials at any NASA Center, now or in the future.

Have a question not answered here? Need more information? Help is available by sending an email to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory or tweet to @JPLTweetup.