All Astronautics

Long time space fan and science fiction reader.

Back in the 1960's I got to meet John Glenn when he visited Rangoon, Burma.

As the days of the great shuttle program draw to a close I keep thinking about what a great event it would be if there could be a special NASA tweetup for kids at either the last or the next to last shuttle launch.  The reasons are obvious, I am sure. We need to make that inspirational imprint on our future, and our future is our youth of today.

Now, I am sure many youngsters from the Florida region have accompanied their parents to shuttle launches; however, I am not certain that they have ever benefited from a full NASA tweetup program. The opportunity for tours and maybe to meet and listen to some of our astronaut heroes as well as witnessing a live launch creates an indelible impression and stimulus.

I mentioned this on Twitter and have gotten some positive reactions and recommendations. In all cases the kids, or course, would need to be accompanied by an adult. The kids ideally should be in grades 6-12 with preference for kids in grades 6-8 This latter grouping has the highest promise of serious impact. So how do we do it?  Here are some ideas:

Advertising /Online media industry. F1 fanatic and space program enthusiast. Love running, boxing, traveling, photography and dogs. Also a dessert addict =)

Identity

Last Name: 

Cacho-Sousa

First Name: 

Paloma

Education: 

UM - Bachelor of Arts and Sciences with a minor in Marketing

Occupation: 

Account Services Executive at starMedia

Writer, Reader, all around space enthusiast etc. I'm a Librarian, a published author and much much more

Identity

Last Name: 

York

First Name: 

Matt

Education: 

Masters in Library Science

Occupation: 

Librarian

I've been a space enthusiast all my life, but put that energy to good use when I went to work at Space Center Houston 10 years ago.  Today, I'm the Public Relations Specialist at SCH and enjoy every second of my day job.  By night, I become Super Geek Dad and love dazzling my kids with the telescope, science experiments and Space Station / Shuttle sightings.

Identity

Last Name: 

Moore

First Name: 

Jack

Education: 

Applied Design and Visual Arts

Website: 

Moore-Arts.com

Live in Florida, saw STS-1 from the roof of my house in Largo FL. Been to more launches than I can count, now I take my kids. Just an avid fan of the program.

I have been an engineer at NASA (JSC) for twenty years.  I have worked Shuttle (Payload Ops), NASA Mir (continuous rotation to Russia supporting NASA astronaut and payloads on-board Mir for three years), and now write procedures to build and operate the ISS.  Most recently the procedures are mod kits which retro fit the station and its modules for newly desired capabilities. 

 My analytical/geek side often fights to coexist with my artistic side.  An artist all my life, I write lyrics and poetry, create art by recycling old items (crosses, birdhouses, furniture), do graphic design on the side as well and also love construction and building things... big things, like massive decks!  That engineering comes back into play with my construction projects and while building custom cabinets and renovating my kitchen or knocking a hole in the wall under the stairs for a wine cellar... best of both worlds?

Identity

Last Name: 

Freeman

First Name: 

Susan

Education: 

BSME Texas Tech University

Occupation: 

Aerospace/Systems Engineer

Website: 

Space Is Our Future

Born Israeli and living with my family in the U.S. since 2002.

I'm a software engineer with interest in space, looking into working in the space industry, studying and eventually, if the stars align, become an astronaut. I am a father to three boys, an amateur photographer and violinist.

In 2009 I coined the word Spacepirations - The pursuit of space and reaching for the stars, figuratively and literally.

Come read and comment in my blog called Spacepirations at http://spacepirations.blogspot.com.

Identity

Last Name: 

Govrin

First Name: 

Amnon

Education: 

B.Sc. in EE from Technion, IIT, Israel. Graduated in 1996.

Occupation: 

Software development manager and software engineer

Website: 

Spacepirations

I am a rocket scientist and electrical engineer.  I worked for NASA on the Space Shuttle Launch Team.  I spent 10 years working for NASA before leaving due to potential RIFs during the Clinton/Goldin Administration.  I have since then worked on many spacecraft circling the earth, at Mars or chasing comets/asteroids.  I even have my picture on Mars!

Identity

Last Name: 

Prokic

First Name: 

Roger

Education: 

BSEE, MS Space Systems

Occupation: 

Electrical Engineer/Program Manager

Website: 

Twitter

Hi,

  I represent the group over at the diyship.com forums . We are all about going to space and documenting our progress doing it the old DIY style. If you are into amateur space exploration and development I'd highly encourage you to come check us out!

What? Moon base now? Don't you follow the news? Constellation has been cancelled! Yes, and I understand the confusion and consternation, but the most logical first step in getting ready to reach out into our solar system will be to develop a full-scale assembly and launch facility within a low-gravity environment. I nominate the Moon.

In his briefing before the National Press Club, Administrator Bolden implied that we will be going to the Moon despite the acknowledged demise of Constellation.  When we go, and under what arrangement will depend on three important bodies; the White House, The Congress, and a NASA-Private Sector-International partnership. Partnerships are a sharing arrangement in both benefits and costs.  This is the key to a renewed and expanded Moon mission that is completely designed as a stepping stone from which humankind will leap out into the solar system.

I was born in the middle of the Apollo era, which means although men walked on the moon whilst I was alive, I was too young to remember it! I have had a fascination with space for as long as I can remember. The desire to understand our place in the universe, why are we here, where did we come from, are we alone?
 

My childhood desire to learn more about space was partly driven by my uncle who was also interested in Astronomy and space. I remember sitting out on warm summer evenings whilst he would point out the constellations to me. He bought me my first set of Binoculars which I still have and use to this day!

Identity

Last Name: 

Harris

First Name: 

Chris

Occupation: 

IT Consultant and Photographer

Website: 

The Tech Shed

Educator who wants to pass along his love of space, aeronautics, science, and technology to the next generation. A former TV news video editor who still enjoys dabbling in video production.

Identity

Website: 

Digital Teaching

Identity

Last Name: 

Ambrose

First Name: 

Chris

Education: 

BS Software Engineering. Working on Education degree. Also working on getting recertified to fly again!

Occupation: 

Informally educate STEM to anyone who cares and everyone who needs to. A professional student. So teach me. Been asked by more than one person to blog. Maybe..

Dreaming of Space all my life. Working Space since 2001

Geeking about space since the '70s.  

Attending the JSC NASAtweetup in 2010

Identity

Last Name: 

Joe

First Name: 

Lucas

Professional Photographer, Writer and Historian

Shot the launch of STS-129 Nov. 16th, 2009

Author of new Book "A Fire In The Sky" the history of Project Mercury. Due out this Spring from Odyssey Books.

Identity

Last Name: 

Brown

First Name: 

David M.

Education: 

North Western Branch, Miesau, Germany Franklin University, Columbus, OH

Occupation: 

Professional Photographer Writer Historian

I am interested in astronomy, space exploration and planetary science. I am a chartered accountant and am also trained as a counsellor. I am currently studying with the Open University for a degree in Physical Science, focusing on the astrophsyics side. I would love to follow this up with a PHD. In the meantime I am still working as an accountant with a local firm.

I also like cycling, yoga, science fiction, eating out, walking and playing games on facebook.

Identity

Last Name: 

Hine

First Name: 

Nancy

Education: 

University of Birmingham 'Degree in Economic and Social History and Sociology' Chartered Accountant (ICAEW) Diploma in Gestalt Counselling (Gestalt Centre, London). Currently studying with the Open University - Planetary Science, Astronomy, Maths, etc.

Occupation: 

Accountant

I am 38 years old and have loved NASA since I was 12.  I was greatly touched by the Challenger tragedy and my 10th grade science fair project was on the explosion.  NASA sent me the full report and lots of cool photos to go with it.  I created an elaborate account of what led to the explosion of Challenger.  Every since, I have been hooked.

My dream was to become an astronaut, but that was stopped when I was involved in a serious auto crash which left me paralyzed from the waist down.  I gave up my dream, and was distant from NASA for some time.

Now, I am 38, a mother of four, own my own successful business, and love NASA again with the same passion as 22 years ago.  I tried to see a shuttle launch this summer on several occasions but bad weather was in my way.  My dream is to see a shuttle launch before the program ends in 2010.

Identity

Last Name: 

Schneider

First Name: 

Norah

Education: 

MBA

Occupation: 

Business owner

Website: 

Mountain Creations Log Homes

Grew up just after the Apollo era. Had the Buzz Aldrin "Visor" picture as a mural on my wall, Viking Lander cutaway diagrams on my desk.

40 year anniversary resparked interest in space. Watching SpaceVidCast's coverage of Ares X-I tapped me into the masses on twitter and the web. Northrup Grumman Lunar Lander X-Prize was a blast. 

Flying out to Kennedy Space Center to watch STS-130 and SDO go up in February.

Look for the seven foot tall geek.

Identity

Last Name: 

Zichterman

First Name: 

Zig