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NASA Wants 40 Social Media Users To Attend SpaceX's Next Launch (nasa.gov)
An anonymous reader quotes NASA.gov:
Social media users are invited to register to attend the launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Dragon spacecraft from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. This launch, currently targeted for late June, will be the next commercial cargo resupply services mission to the International Space Station... A maximum of 40 social media users will be selected to attend this two-day event, and will be given access similar to news media.
Besides viewing and photographing the launch, the 40 selected participants will also:
Besides viewing and photographing the launch, the 40 selected participants will also:
- Tour NASA facilities at Kennedy Space Center
- Speak with representatives from NASA and SpaceX
- Speak with researchers about investigations heading to the orbiting microgravity laboratory
- Meet fellow space enthusiasts who are active on social media
Applications must be received by Wednesday at noon EDT.
A long time ago I was invited as an enthusiast website owner to attend the North American unveiling of the Subaru WRX. This was very early days for internet influence and they had a group of about six of us. It was a very good move on Subaru's part, as we were able to reach the young enthusiast community in a way that traditional magazines could not. We were not paid beyond expenses and we were not asked to be shills or pitch men, we were to report honestly on our opinions of the car. I spoke to someone who went with us recently and most of that group is still in touch with each other today.
This reminds me of Subaru's outreach efforts; NASA is recognizing that social media users can be a 'man on the street' presence to document the event in a way that compliments professional journalism.
They could make it easy on themselves and just take everyone on Google Plus.