Tweetup Adventure Part 2

So now (finally), part 2 of the NASA tweetup day.

After the visit to the mission control building, the group split into two groups. Our badges we were given were color coded. I was in the blue group, with the other group being the green group. This split was so we could tour more 'tight spaced' buildings without disturbing any of the work force. Mostly for the Vehicle Mockup Building, or Building 9, as the tour we got there involved walking on the floor where work and training take place. A tour no normal tourist would get.

Our group first headed to the Neutral Buoyancy Lab, or the NBL. (NASA, if you haven't noticed already, really loves to use acronyms). The name of the building is Sonny Carter Training Facility, named after astronaut Sonny Carter who died in a plane crash. This is that place you see in Armageddon and other movies with the big pool. It is the place where astronauts train for spacewalks that an upcoming mission requires. If someone has to go out and change a battery on the ISS, they they first spend many, many hours training in this huge pool on what they will do. The astronauts, in their suits, are perfectly balanced in the water, so they essentially are weightless. It is a process that pretty much all astronauts must go through before they can fly to space.

This pool is massive. It has the truss section of the ISS running the length of the pool, with room left over for a mockup of the shuttle bay. It is forty feet deep and holds 6 million gallons of water. Up to six astronauts can train at a time in the pool, with each astronaut having four divers along with them. Two to help move the air hoes and the astronaut (its difficult to move underwater.....), one helps the astronaut with picking stuff up or moving his arms into the correct position, while the fourth watches the astronauts face at all times in case of any emergency. We were lucky enough to be given our tour by the Operation Manager of the facility.

Our next stop, the second to last, was Building 9, as mentioned earlier. Inside this huge building are full scale mockups of space craft and stations that are commonly used in orbit. Such as a full scale replica of the ISS and all its modules. There is a full scale shuttle mockup as well as a Russian Soyuz spacecraft. Two flight deck mockups of the shuttle also exists. One for liftoff and landing training, and one for orbit training.  One of the coolest things that I got to see happened during our tour. The large doors on the far side of the building opened up, and inside came a vehicle of some kind. Turned out to be one of the new lunar rover prototypes coming in from testing! We soon were able to walk down there and see it up close. Very cool indeed! To bad these probably will never see real action.

The final stop was rocket park. After being to Huntsville and KSC, this wasn't much of a 'rocket park' as it consisted of three rockets, but hey, I've never seen one of them before, so it was worth it. Plus, the Saturn V there is probably the only 'real' one in existence. Real, as in it is made up of parts from the Saturn Vs intended for Apollo 19 and 20 that were cancelled. The other two rockets were Mercury Redstone rocket, and a Fat Albert I think it was called? Can't really remember the name, but is was indeed a short and fat rocket used out at White Sands, NM to test the escape systems on the Apollo capsule, which it did successfully.

Well, that pretty much wraps up the trip. I know there are many, many small details I left out the might can been seen in my pictures. I do my best story telling in person instead of by typing or writing, so me telling you this all in person would give much more detail, as well as being much more efficient than my terrible writing. The best part to me personally happened after the event at the post-tweetup gathering, but that's a story for another time. Maybe around a year or so, it will be worth telling.

But on to new stuff now. I really enjoyed this trip, and can't thank NASA enough for this opportunity of a lifetime. I am extremely grateful, and hope to one day actually be working there!

Tweetup Adventure Part 1

Since I've been back home, I've been both too busy and too lazy to post. Sad, isn't it? I don't know why I waited so long , because the more people I can tell about my trip, the happier I become! It is almost difficult to describe in words how awesome my NASA tweetup trip was. But, I'll try my best to! Oh, and his is going to be a long post, so hope you have some time if you want to read.

The story could start with the drive out. A roughly 10 hour trip one way. Honestly, it wasn't that bad of a drive; I guess the fact that I like to drive helped that fact. I did pass a wreck in Jackson, MS, but it was at an intersection and was probably due to someone being stupid. However, around Lake Charles, LA, I ran into a frozen hell. Literally. It was a random, lone hail storm that had developed only there. Very difficult to see in front of me, but others weren't as lucky as me driving through. I passed a (at the time) three car crash, all rear ending the first. I don't know, but I bet other cars pilled in as well. It was rough, but my drives always end up interesting in some way.

Finally arrived in Houston. Or, the Seabrook area to be more precise. It was actually a nice little town. Although, it definitely shows its age. Older buildings with for sell signs or run down buildings in some places. Makes me wonder how interesting this place would have been back in it's prime, probably late 60's early 70's. But I digress. The hotel was nicer than I anticipated for a one bedroom. It had a small couch, chair, and coffee table included. Very comfortable! I then went to Villa Carpi, a very upscale seeming Italian restaurant near my hotel for the Pre-Tweetup gathering. This was my first indication of the people here with me. Another college kid from Kentucky, a electrical/computer engineer from the UK, and even a poker card dealer from a casino in LA. People from Detroit, Utah, and even India. Very cool! I think my favorite part of the night happened here. We all discussed space and NASA for 3-4 hours! This would never happen for me around here. Not that people here are ignorant, but just don't have that same passion for it as I do. It was amazing to have a group of like minded people to discuss this topic for an extended time!

Finally move to Wednesday. After showing up at 8 to sign in and get our badges (and free bagels!), we all received a small 'thank you for attending' from the Deputy Administrator of the center. Following that, Talat Hussian, Co-Lead of RF Systems for the ISS, gave us a rundown of the Ku-Band transmitter currently being installed on the ISS on this shuttle mission. Very cool to get an insiders look at the construction of the International Space Station. Finally, Astronaut Jeff Williams graced us with is presence, haha. He described very well what it was like to live on the space station, fly on the shuttle, and the Russian Soyuz capsule. Which he compared the latter to "being in a car crash". Not something I would want American's to ride in for the next 5 years *cough cough*Constellation*cough cough*.

We then went to Building 30. AKA, mission control. This is where all the publicized history is made. Most everything that involves space flight leads here at some point or another. The building contains three control rooms, named Red, White, and Blue. Very fitting. One is the ISS Control Center, one is the Shuttle Control Center, and the final is the old control center used during the Apollo missions. First we visited the Shuttle Control Center, and were greeted by Flight Director Ed Van Chise. We got the first person account of life as a flight controller from him while watching the flight directors do their job as a space walk was going on on the ISS and the big screen in the room. It was a very special thing to see this in action first hand. Simply awe inspiring.



Afterwards we walked to the old Apollo Control Center. On the FLOOR. A very rare event indeed. As a matter of fact, we probably ruined the tour for the group behind the glass where normal tourist have to stay. We could touch the consoles, play with the phones, sit at the flight director's chair. It took me a few days to really grasp this, but I stood, and sat, right where the controllers celebrated as Neil Armstrong declared on July 20, 1969, "The Eagle has landed." Where Gene Kranz and his controllers brought back Jim Lovell, Fred Haises, and Jack Swigert from the Apollo 13 disaster. I stood where American and Human history took place. Gives me chills just thinking about it, and will for years to come. I'll never forget that room.


You know, this is really only half my trip, and I've said so much! I'll just make this a two part series and finish the other part tomorrow. I'll spend the rest of tonight adding pictures. Check the pictures page at the top of this page to see what I took from the NASA tweetup STS-132 JSC. Or Click Here.

Anticipation!

Not much to say tonight. Just really really really really really really (enough yet? nope) really really really really am looking forward to tomorrow. Met some of the people attending like me tonight. Talked to a few of them the whole time, about three hours. You know what we talked about? Space, NASA, ect. Why do I mention this? It's awesome when you get like minded people together. There's not many people I can dedicated a whole conversation with to NASA and it continue for more than a few minutes. Nice to do something like this for once.

Also got to talk to someone who trains astronauts and flight controllers and works with pre mission simulations. Very cool to hear from someone like that. That's the kind of thing we'll be hearing about all day tomorrow. Yes! Hope to have many stories and pictures after tomorrow.

Atlantis Launch

The Space Shuttle Atlantis lifted off today at 2:20:09pm eastern time the STS-132 mission taking parts and batteries to the International Space Station. This is the final flight of the shuttle Atlantis, and one of the three last flights of the amazing space shuttle program (The final two being the shuttles Discovery and Endeavor, in that order). I always watch a launch on TV, crank up the sound, and just imagine feeling the power from the engines hit me. I get chill bumps seeing it happen, knowing that we have the ability as humans to leave our planet and explore the cosmos. Guess reasons like this would explain why I want to work for NASA. I want to be a part of something I consider immensely important to civilization.


But enough about me. Here are links to pictures of the launch of Atlantis from those down there involved in the Tweetup, giving us pictures from perspectives we otherwise would not see! Thanks guys!

Individual Photos:
http://twitpic.com/1nrbks
http://twitpic.com/1nr00d
http://twitpic.com/1noq14
http://twitpic.com/1n70ke
http://twitpic.com/1nsaek
http://twitpic.com/1nsqy0

Photo Sets:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/herrea/sets/72157624060564112/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/41820931@N08/sets/72157624061480978/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nasahqphoto/sets/72157623928473897/

Bonus Photos! Stephen Colbert was at Johnson Space Center filming for The Colbert Report! Can't wait to see that episode!
http://twitpic.com/1ns9c1
http://twitpic.com/1nq5e2

KSC Tweetup

I spent most of the day either driving or moving furniture, so I've only been able to read about the NASA Tweetup at Kennedy Space Center for the last 30 minutes or so. And so far...I'm crazy jealous! Oh how amazing and awesome it would be to see all of that up close. I mean, there is what, 3 flights left, including this one? AND it is the final flight of Atlantis (my third favorite shuttle. Yes, I have favorites when it comes to the space shuttles). What a special opportunity these people have had the privilege to experience. And, thanks to NASA, twitter, and modern technology, I get to see (second hand of course) the first hand experience, which, apart from being there, I'm fine with! Thanks to all these people who are willing to share this event with the world, or at least those who know about it, haha. I really like this idea, and think NASA should do more with it. It is a GREAT way to get that love and passion back into our space program. Great job to everyone that attended, thanks for the pictures, and look forward to doing my part at Johnson!

I'll link to some pictures that really seem to capture the day for these people:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rllacey/4605118387/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rllacey/4605725534/
http://twitpic.com/1nkqsz
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nasahqphoto/4605256176/
http://twitpic.com/1nikz5
http://twitpic.com/1nijn5

I'll probably do many more tomorrow, as these where just the easiest to fine.

Not Very Scientific

I've been on a science trend here recently. Probably has something to do with me going to Houston for a NASA event and me reading a book titled Physics of the Impossible by Mchio Kaku. Personally, I love when I get into this train of thought. I love trying to wrap my mind around Light and its Space/Time properties. Wormholes and black holes. Multiple dimensions and parallel universes. I suppose this stems from my childhood attachment to Star Wars and other science fiction material. Wouldn't it be awesome if there were shields, light sabers, lasers, aliens, and starships like we see in these works? Most, if not all (in some form or fashion), are possible! This is why science thrills me, because of the doors it can open for us. I suppose that is why I like Mchio Kaku as well; the possibility of the "impossible" actually being possible is what drives our love for science. If kids in school knew just how cool the science could actually be, it would be a much more popular subject, as it was for me.

"Kids, open your books to Chapter 12: Star Trek and Teleportation"

Anyway, one thing I wanted to throw out there is my thoughts on NASA and its current direction. I love space, and I love NASA. I hope one day work for NASA. I'd give my all to it. But, I just cannot get behind the new plan at the moment. Let me say this from the start: I am not involved in any of what goes on at NASA, so I don't have the 'full story' on many things, so this is just my outside point of view.

First off, I don't understand the cancellation of the Constellation program, if only because another rocket has been promised to be developed. So maybe it was not going the the perfect direction and was over budget, but why throw that money away and start again? Scrap something or just tone it back a bit. I understand that some of it are being reused, such as the capsule, and they just tested the emergency escape rockets successfully, but why is that it. Just seems to me that it will take long and more money to start over than to finish what they started.


Second is the outsourcing of US astronaut flights to the International Space Station to commercial companies. This, I suppose, I've eventually get use to. I mean, it eventually has to happen. Space travel will one day be as common place as air travel, and the government doesn't run every flight. Companies own the planes and flights, and so one day space travel will follow suite. And I guess now is as good a time as ever, but it doesn't mean I have to like it. I guess I'm just a bit old school...even though I'm young. Point being, I do not like the idea of NASA giving up control of space to corporations. Maybe NASA will become the ATSB for space or something, so they still have some control.

Third, finally, and most importantly to me, is the new plan for human exploration of space. The new plan is to slowly work up our experience with long duration space flight until we are comfortable with going to Mars. Start with a lagrange point, then a local asteroid or two, then to a moon of Mars, then to Mars itself. Now, while I have absolutely no problems with going to Mars, as I'm ALL for that and want it to happen within my lifetime, if you notice, the moon was never mentioned in that plan. Apparently, "been there, done that" is a good enough excuse to not go back. Are you kidding me? There is so much potential on the moon! From mining, to a refuel point, to a place for humans to live not on Earth. Plus, technology is exponentially better now then when we first went in 1969; so much more could be done and learned a second time around. I just do not see enough justifications to skip the moon as a target for future human exploration.


Well, that was a rather long blog/rant, but I feel rather passionately about Humanities future in space. I think it is necessary for our race's advancement and survival. And I'm just a little bit jealous of those who witnessed that moment of the first man on the moon, haha!

Oh, and Happy Birthday to me!

NASA Tweetup JSC

So, yea, I got accepted to the NASA Tweetup at Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX! Really did not expect to be picked. The way I understand it, 150 people are randomly selected from twitter (from those who register) to attend the Tweetup at Kennedy Space Center in Florida and 150 for the one at JSC. I actually applied for both, and, as anyone would probably admit, I would rather have been selected for the one at KSC! I mean, who doesn't want to see a space shuttle launch! But, I'm also not going to argue with going to Texas, as it is also a rare experience. Especially since the shuttle program is soon to be extinct. I am super honored to be able to go.

I'm not one hundred percent sure as to what will be the exact itinerary for the day, but I know it involves presentations, tours, lunch, and a "meet and greet" with mission controllers and flight directors. Awesome. The only way this could get any better, is if I got to meet Gene Kranz. That guy is pretty much my hero when it comes to America's space program. He was one of the original flight directors at Johnson during the Gemini and Apollo programs. He was also the acting director during the Apollo 11 moon landing, and was one of the primary factors in dealing with the Apollo 13 incident. Yes, my space hero is not an astronaut, but a mission controller.

I'm going to do my best to take as many pictures as possible and will definitely tweet often throughout the day, as that is kind of the point of the Tweetup. Unfortunately, with my laptop KIA, I might be a bit limited with what I can do, but I do not think there will be time for a laptop anyway, so maybe it will not matter. Regardless, there will be many pictures, hopefully some interviews, and lots of tweets. So, if your interested in my activity throughout May 19, pay attention to my twitter, and if you know of anyone who might be interested in NASA, JSC, the space shuttle mission, or space in general, then send them over to my twitter to follow me!

Super Sad

Well, after 4 and 1/2 years together, my laptop finally decided to commit suicide. Very sad day indeed. It's rather crazy how much I used that laptop without realizing it. Actually, the saddest and most depressing thing of all is the fact that I am typing this blog on a Mac. I feel like I'm committing a heinous crime. As if after all these years of dedication, Bill Gates is going to kill me in my sleep. I guess the one shining light in this is that this Mac actually fails. Not sure of a problem where the keyboard and mousepad stop responding, but just another reason to not own a Mac!

Nobody - Yea, sums up some parts of a Mac

Looking into getting another computer right now, as I don't believe the first is repairable. (Motherboard failure, which cost as much to replace as to buy a new computer). Doing research now to find a replacement.

Even Bad Games Can Be Good

As I've mentioned before, I am a huge video game fan. I've played them every since my father's Atari 2600. I can remember Saturday mornings waking up to play some Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Arcade on the NES. Good times, good times.

Anyway, because of this, I like to keep up with gaming news. My primary site for this is Game Informer. Could be considered the largest gaming magazine in publication. On the site, they have started something they do every weekend called Game Replay. As the name suggests, they go back and play a game from an earlier console generation and see how it holds up to today's standards. My favorite part of this series is the hilarity that can ensue from playing terrible older games. And on that note, the purpose of this post, the twenty minutes of laughter from this particular replay:

Replay: Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero

I've personally never played this game, but, like many people I'm sure, I've played Mortal Kombat, so this is nothing foreign. If you want a good laugh, very much so, watch this!

First Timer

First real blog, so I suppose I'll just start off with what I expect to blog about.

I'm a pretty big fan of Space, Video Games, and Baseball, so I can promise you that will be common topics. I'll probably also use this to vent my opinion on political or religious topics. Maybe a random post here or there about some news as well. One topic i'd love to hit on as well would be stories about some of my friends. Condensed and censored versions of past nights with them, or maybe just the occasional awesome makes-no-sense quotes.

I guess like everyone who starts a blog wishes, I'd like for this blog to take off, but I would probably be content just knowing my thoughts are out there.....lost in.....space......yeah.....