Social media uses are about as vast as outer space. In the case of the upcoming launch of Space Shuttle Discovery live Webcast and chat with the astronauts, it brings back excitement of space travel … at least to me.
Perhaps generations have changed the pursuits of children, and space travel is not quite as exciting as it was in 1969 when the world looked up at the moon with awe and NASA astronauts walked where so many of us only gaze. When my son’s kindergarten class each walked across a stage in costumes representing what they hope to be when they grow up, I can only recall one astronaut. There were a lot of veterinarians, firemen, and my proud little entomology prodigy, but not so many space travelers. Maybe what they needed all along was more social media to restore the excitement of spaceships and the great big “out there”.
Today, I am inspired once again as I await the opportunity to watch the Space Shuttle Discovery launch to the International Space Station. What is inspiring to me is that through social media, NASA lets the world in on the experience along with a chat with the astronauts. This is yet another way that social media makes the world, and even outer space, just a bit smaller for all of us.
I will be tuning in to watch it live at 1:36 a.m. Eastern on 25 August. In the meantime, I will periodically look for notes at spaceflightnow.com, live video at NASA TV, and updates on Twitter to see what is happening at the space center.