Lunar News Network

Foggy Vision?

The Advanced Nanotechnology blog has a post reviewing the current state of space programs. I liked the post because it makes some sensible proposals for the space program, but was disappointed that it ultimately casts doubt on the viability of the Vision for Space Exploration.

NASA Twitters, Part 3

Here is some more info on NASA's new plan to promote public awareness and inspire support using new communication tools (The Space Review - NASA’s new outreach plan) and social networking sites:

The document also describes how NASA plans to implement the plan and communicate those messages to the public. That effort will be linked with NASA’s year-long celebration, starting this October, of its 50th anniversary (the agency was officially created on October 1, 1958.) The core message and related themes will be used in a variety of 50th anniversary events, including a series of “NASA Future Forums” around the country: one-day conferences about the role of innovation in economic development, in particular the role NASA plays. Also in the works are a lecture series, new public service announcements, and targeted outreach to state and local leaders linked to upcoming shuttle missions.

Online media will also play a role in this outreach effort. According to the document, NASA is in the process of redesigning its web site to leverage a suite of technologies and techniques collectively known as “Web 2.0” that emphasize communication and collaboration among users. The new web site will include dynamic, customizable content; “social bookmarks” akin to web sites like Digg and del.icio.us; and the ability for the public to comment on NASA content. The document also mentions the creation of a “NASATube” and “NASApedia”, presumably similar to the video-sharing site YouTube and editable encyclopedia Wikipedia, respectively.

Good ideas, all. I joined a NASA group on Facebook. There were several and I joined the one that looked the most official, though it was hard to tell really. I've still had no luck with Twitter, does anyone know how NASA is making use of Twitter?

One Giant Step

The New York Times "On This Day" section reminds us that it was on this date in 1969 that astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the Moon.

NASA Twitters, Part 2

This post is prompted by my previous post about NASA launching new efforts to use social networking sites and emerging technology to connect to a younger demographic and build support for the space program. This CNET report (Next NASA mission: Twitter and Facebook) notes not only the use of Twitter, but also Second Life, Facebook, and blogs to reach more people. According to the report:

CoLab, NASA's Collaborative Space Exploration Laboratory, hosted a one-day tech event called the Participatory Exploration Summit, which brought together representatives from across the space agency, as well as from Twitter, Creative Commons and game companies like Virtual Heroes and Virtue Arts. CoLab's sole purpose is to foster partnerships between the space program and tech entrepreneurs, and then develop novel applications and make use of NASA resources.

I applaud these efforts as well as the general vision of making NASA resources available to programmers and gamers to incorporate into their products to boost not only realism, but greater awareness and appreciation for exploration themes. These new technologies allow people to use NASA resources in a way that previous generations never experienced. For the public, space exploration has always been a spectator sport, now, thanks to social networking sites and new video and remote links, people have a chance to personally participate in this great adventure. I don't think we can underestimate the value of personal participation in building support for space exploration. Good job, NASA!

NASA Twitters

According to the Daily Galaxy blog, NASA is using the Twitter social networking site to boost the popularity of space exploration. Whatever helps, I guess. I was a bit annoyed though that the post didn't actually give us the NASA twitter name so we could add them as friends we are following, if we wanted to be friends with NASA. Anyone know what it is?