#SCTweetup Reflection
| July 8, 2011 | Posted by Katy under #SCTweetup, Blogger Meet-up, Blogging Community, Travels, Tweetup |
“I have learned to use the word “impossible” with the greatest caution.” - Wernher von Braun
Wow! My goodness! I have no idea how or where to even begin with recapping and reflecting on these past two days! They were nothing short of AMAZING!
As a child growing up in Florida, I always wanted to go to a shuttle launch. My most prominent memory of the NASA Shuttle Program was in October 1998 when John Glen returned to space and made history by becoming the oldest person to go to space. I was in the third grade and it was a picture perfect day without a cloud in the sky. My class stopped our lesson for the day and watched the launch on television. Right after liftoff, we all RAN outside and my entire class and I were able to actually SEE the shuttle in the Florida sky. My hometown is close to 200 miles away from Cape Canaveral, but on a clear day like it was that day, we were able to see the shuttle. It was truly a moment that I will NEVER forget.
That distinct memory, along with numerous trips to the Kennedy Space Center, fueled my love for space travel.
Today, history was made with one final space shuttle launch. One final time to celebrate the accomplishments of this amazing program. One final time to see such an amazing sight. One final time to “light this candle” on this program.
The past two days allowed myself and 13 other “tweeters” to experience US Space Camp first hand and to learn more about the history and FUTURE of space travel. Space Camp Tweetup was an experience that I will NEVER forget. We went on exclusive tours, had dinner with astronaut Don Thomas, participated in a simulated shuttle launch, and watched the STS-135 Atlantis take off with hundreds of Space Camp campers. From all of these events, to all of the new friends I met, and to finding out that my friend actually WORKS as a counselor at Space Camp (yes, it was very weird and a complete surprise!), it was amazing.
This post is picture heavy, but hopefully the captions will help give you an idea of what a truly “out of this world opportunity” this really was.
Day 1:
Inside the International Space Station (ISS) Payload Operations Center
One of the test stands where they tested rockets!
One of three Huntsville news crews following us around!
Takin’ about pee! 
(Learning about Urine Processing)
On the MAT Simulator!
Walking on the Moon! (1/6th Chair)
Astronaut Don Thomas! Such an inspiring man!
The #SCTweetup Group!
Day 2:
We are “GO” for simulated launch!
All suited up for launch!
Commander Katy! Successful launch!
Again, this experience was amazing and I am so grateful for the opportunity. Not only did I make new friends, but my interest in social media was even more “sparked” by this TweetUp. I encourage EVERYONE to apply for any TweetUp if the opportunity presents itself. It is an experience that you can’t truly understand 100% until you experience it for yourself.
I have to thank US Space Camp and all of the people who organized this TweetUp opportunity. Thank you for selecting me and it was an honor to attend. I am forever grateful and hope to take my increased interest in social media and networking to further heights!
Being at Space Camp over the past few days has also made me more interested in the future of space travel. I was completely inspired and in awe of the passion of the campers and staff members that I met. I am even looking into applying to be a camp counselor next summer!
Thank you again US Space Camp for this opportunity and God Speed!
Did you watch the final space launch? Have you ever attended a social media/ social networking event?
P.S- If you have any questions or want to know more about my #SCTweetup experience, please feel free to contact me. We did so much over the past two days that it was impossible to recap it all!
My name is Katy and I am a 23-year-old living, running, and cycling in and around the Washington, DC metro area. This blog chronicles my life, inner musings, and fitness adventures as I try to navigate this crazy thing called life!
You look so cute in the space suit! You’d make a great astronaut.
I always wanted to attend a launch and do all that cool stuff you got to do.
Wow … Flying into space wearing flip-flops!
Watching the launch this morning reminded me of when I was a cadet at The Citadel, watching the launch of Columbia for the first time on that bright Sunday morning in 1981. I thought wow … what a magnificent flying machine, how it literally jumped off the pad. And that first landing at Edwards 2 days later. Now, 30 years later, it is finally all over. The end of an era of boldness and audacity, probably never to be matched.
Commander Katy, it was a pleasure serving with you aboard the Space Shuttle.
Like the restricted signs–shows what a privilege we had being there. Great times. Thanks for the post!
Oh my goodness what a great experience!!!! i am so jealous!!
You are beautiful!!!
I went to Space Camp when I was like in 2nd grade… but I went to th eone in California. 
Looks like you had so much fun!!!