Browsing articles from "June, 2011"

You’re Invited to be part of history!

Jun 28, 2011   //   by Pamela Greyer   //   Latest Buzz  //  No Comments

Live video of STS-133 Space Shuttle Discovery Launch!

On July 8th, 2011 (if launch remains on schedule) YOU are cordially invited to participate in the launch of STS-135, Space Shuttle Atlantis. For the last ten years, our NASA Aerospace Education Laboratory in Chicago was the pulse of mission control during daytime shuttle launches giving students an opportunity to not only watch a shuttle launch but learn the science, physics, and engineering behind the shuttles through hands-on activities in the AEL. STS-132 was the last group of students to participate in a mission control shuttle launch experience in our AEL. In October, 2010 a new era in watching space shuttle launches began for me as a participant in the STS-133 NASA Tweetup. The delay of STS-133 to a February 2011 launch allowed me to introduce virtual participation for my students, families and communities which changed the experience of a shuttle launch from watching coverage on NASA TV or other online news sources to an experience of really being right there with me. I will be connecting schools, educators, parents, families and communities once again to share with me live coverage of the last space shuttle launch.

On July 7th and 8th pre, live, and post launch events will be broadcast live on my Ustream, The NASA Lady, channel and on my Live! page here on the site. I’m encouraging everyone to watch, join in, and ask questions using the live chat feature. It promises to be not only a chapter in history that will bring to a close NASA’s human spaceflight program but a special time in history where we, as a collective humanity, will come together to celebrate the successes and scientific advancements and achievements as well as reflecting on the tragedies of the 30 years of the space shuttle program which reminds us that while going to space is dangerous it is the final frontier for humans to explore and that frontier will provide us with opportunities for a journey that will last far into the future.

For our youth, we are heading into exciting times. While NASA is passing the baton of designing and launching human spaceflight vehicles to commercial companies, an unpresecendented number of opportunities in STEM careers and entrepreneurial ventures are opening. My generation watched and many of us took the leap to work for NASA as engineers, scientists, researchers, mission control specialists, education outreach specialists, contractors, etc., or even became astronauts!

While the space shuttle never reached its original goal to make inexpensive weekly launches (estimated by NASA during the Nixon administration to cost around $7 million each and currently costing around 1.6 billion) into space a reality, the program has accomplished milestones including the launch and servicing of the Hubble Space Telescope, international cooperation in the building of the International Space Station, and launching probes to Venus and Jupiter. The shuttle program has also sustained a cooperative international working environment in space on board the ISS (International Space Station) and besides the human crew, STS-135 will carry a payload of cargo including a year’s worth of supplies, clothing, and equipment to the ISS.

As NASA launches the final mission of its 30 year space shuttle Program and, at least for the near foreseeable future, our government goes out of the human spaceflight business and bring to a close another era in America’s space program, you can be there! I’m looking forward to you joining me on July 7 & 8.

See ya live from Florida!

JPL, David Delgado & Imagine Mars

Jun 18, 2011   //   by Pamela Greyer   //   Latest Buzz, NASA, Robotics, The Launch Pad  //  1 Comment

The 2011 JPL Tweetup was the second social media event hosted by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. The day was packed full of incredible presentations on four new NASA missions launching in the very near future, Aquauarius, Juno, Grail, and the Mars Science Laboratory/Curiosity Rover as well as highlights of other JPL missions and a heartfelt farewell to the Mars Rover Spirit.

The last presentation of the day was David Delgado and the Imagine Mars Project which is a free online, fabulous resource for teachers, homeschool parents, communities, and students interested in space exploration and building communities. The following video is part 4 of the June 6, 2011 JPL Tweetup with David premiering “The Martians” videos of an incredible summer learning experience about Mars and how when given the tools and the expertise from the NASA JPL team, a NASA Solar System Ambassador, and the staff from the Neighborhood Network centers whose students were part of this program amazing things happen.

From the top and bottom of my heart and everyone in Chicago involved in this project, thank you David, Veronica, and the JPL Imagine Mars team for making this possible!

We Love you!

Priceless

Jun 14, 2011   //   by Pamela Greyer   //   Latest Buzz  //  No Comments

Pamela Greyer & David Delgado at JPL Tweetup

“Look who is on stage! @TheNasaLady! So honored to call her a friend. @thesuss

There haven’t been many times in my life when I can say that I’m, lost for words, but on Monday, June 6, 2011 during the NASA JPL Tweetup, I was completely overcome with emotion, gratitude, and such belief in how if you expose young people to knowledge they can take it to such great heights. Sometimes even as far as Mars!

I love what I do, and yes, dreams do come true and they can happen to you! Thanks to my friend @theSuss for capturing the moment!

Bye Bye Earth!

Jun 7, 2011   //   by Pamela Greyer   //   Latest Buzz, NASA, The Launch Pad  //  No Comments

Today’s JPL Tweetup was amazing! So many missions, so much science, and such cool people. Imagine my surprise when the last presenter of the day, David Delgado from the Imagine Mars team, showed this to the entire room and everyone watching NASA TV.

This video was part of a summer NASA outreach experience I volunteered for through the Solar System Ambassador program in 2010. The final cut is awesome and it’s been a long time since I became speechless.

@NASA, @NASAJPL David, @VeronicaMCG, and everyone who worked on this project, we definitely rocked this one!

STS-135 NASA Tweetup Register Now!

Jun 1, 2011   //   by Pamela Greyer   //   Latest Buzz, NASA  //  No Comments

Mission patch for STS-135

STS-135 Mission Patch

If you’ve always wanted to see a Space Shuttle launch up close and personal there’s no better opportunity than at a NASA Tweetup. This is so fantastic they could put it as a prize on Wheel of Fortune! Now, for one day and one day only you can register for the final and last NASA Space Shuttle Mission here

So don’t delay. Do it now! Registration closes tomorrow, June 2 at 11:59 am EDT. If you are lucky and get selected as a participant here’s what you’ll win!

Entrance into the NASA Kennedy Space Center and access to the media launch area for Tweetup events and launch viewing.

A day and evening full of out of this world events and presentations like meeting astronauts, NASA scientists and engineers, get suited for space, RSS retraction the daybefore launch, and lots more. *Each Tweetup is unique with events and activities and lately celebrities!

An opportunity to meet and hang out with the best Tweetup Social Media Manager ever, NASA’s Stephanie Schierholz.

Hanging out with 149 other like minded space enthusiasts who just can’t get enough of the excitement of watching humans ride a rocket to space.

A new community of friends that will last a lifetime.

Uncontrollable emotions as Atlantis lifts off which will include tears, jumps for joy, hugs, screams, applause, and happiness everywhere you look.

The ride to Florida and your accomodations are on you but when you look at all you get from the NASA end, it becomes a priceless expense and experience.

So what are you waiting for. Go sign up now! Yes, right now!!!!!!!!!!

Good luck!