When NASA Calls, the Answer is Always Yes: How I Got Invited to Next Week’s Launch

The short answer: I think it was luck.

In 10 days, I’ll be standing on historic ground with a once-in-a-lifetime view and press credentials for the launch of the Orbital ATK Cygnus spacecraft on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The goal of this launch is to resupply the International Space Station and I’m one of 50 people selected to be — in the words of NASA — “on the front line to blog, tweet or Instagram everything about Orbital ATK’s fourth commercial resupply mission to the space station and first from Florida”. (Read all the fun details about this 3 day event here: http://www.nasa.gov/social/orbital-dec2015)

This isn’t the first time NASA has invited social media folks to attend an event with press accreditation. It’s one of many events dubbed “NASA Socials”. NASA Social is “a program to provide opportunities for NASA’s social media followers to learn and share information about NASA’s missions, people, and programs.” In fact, you could apply to attend the next NASA Social!

Of Course It Started with a Tweet

I saw the above tweet in my feed on Oct. 25, and I did the equivalent of a Twitter double take.

We scroll past a lot. As someone who works in social media, I’m particularly biased and find myself secretly scoffing much more than publicly “liking” these days. It seems the mantra has become quantity over quality and there are just fewer accounts consistently delivering these days. NASA has been one of these deliverers. (Sidenote: if you aren’t following an astronaut on Twitter, pause everything and go follow Scott Kelly).

After taking a bite of this delicious space flavored click bait, I applied and tweeted all my nerdy social media friends. Then we gushed and geeked out for a few minutes about how incredible this opportunity would be.

That was October 25th.

Fast-forward to November 6th, 1:11pm:

Waitlist excitement ensued. After re-reading, I immediately forwarded to my friends…because NASA!

Then came November 16th at 7:50am:

Any time you receive an email with a subject line “Off Waitlist”, you’re probably in for something good.

Since receiving this confirmation, the past week or so has been a blur. Making travel arrangements, communicating back and forth with NASA (!!), and meeting other current and previous attendees.

It would be the understatement of my twenties to say that I’m excited for this event.

Also, a huge shout-out is due to the University of Washington Communication Leadership program. As I’ve been pursuing my MA Communication Leadership, they’ve been extremely supportive of opportunities that come up for students. I applied for (and received!) a generous Professional Development scholarship to help cover costs of this #NASASocial event, and I’m also going to be shooting with some gear from the UW Communication Department as well.

Between now and Dec 1st, I’m planning to share a few NASA digital media fun facts in anticipation of my departure. (For example: did you know more than 8,000 photos from NASA’s Apollo mission were released last month?)

Lastly, if you’re interested in following my experience between now and the launch, here’s a collection of places where you can find content I’ll be sharing:

Twitter: @lancetrueb

Instagram: @lance_trueb

Periscope: @lancetrueb

Snapchat: truebulation

Facebook: Lance Trueb

LinkedIn: Just kidding :)

Thanks for reading and here’s one of my favorite photos as of late from Commander Scott Kelly!