How social media follows us... everywhere.

On Thursday, Mashable published an article titled "NASA Invites Twitter Followers to View Next Launch--In Person", which details NASA's newest attempt to engage the public in its travels to space. NASA is inviting 150 of its lucky Twitter followers to witness the United Launch Alliance Atlas V 541 rocket set off for Mars on November 25. These "tweetups" have been planned for the most notable times during the process-- especially the tweets during the launch of the shuttle. According to the article, this is a huge step for NASA and serves two very big purposes. The first purpose for tweeting in space is that it builds NASA's social reputation and attracts the public (since it's not every day you see an astronaut tweeting from Space). Secondly, the article states that Twitter will also help build a case for relevance as the agency shrinks, privatizes, and outsources more of its operations and faces continued budgetary pressure. In order to be selected as one of the fortunate 150 followers, one must submit an application. If selected, participants receive the opportunity to get a front-row seat for the launch while meeting and talking with NASA engineers and scientists.

Overall,I think NASA came up with a great idea involving social media. Space travel has always been a mysterious event for many people. Because it has always been featured on television or in the news, the public has never been given the chance to engage and actually feel like they're apart of the journey. What better way to do this than to introduce Twitter into the space mission? By allowing NASA's followers to keep abreast with important news and events taking place in Space, it will build the organization's rep while also demonstrating openness to its publics. NASA will surely benefit from this social media tactic.