Made the Other Shortlist: #NASAWaitUp

Rocket Garden at Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
Rocket Garden at Kennedy Space Center, Fla.

If you haven’t heard, there are only two space shuttle missions left (at least at the time of this blog post) with Endeavour, STS-134, making its last launch on April 19, 2011.

Tickets for the event are at a premium and tickets for viewing the launch at the Kennedy Space Center sold out quickly. Potential Kennedy Space Center shuttle launch visitors had to register for a lottery and if selected, they could purchase tickets. KSC did this because demand was extremely high. I registered to purchase a viewing ticket but didn’t make the cut.

GrayLine is still selling tickets but not sure how long they’ll last.

Last Monday (March 14), NASA opened registration for Twitterers who follow NASA and related Twitter accounts to attend the NASA Tweetup associated with the launch. According to the NASA Tweetup Twitter account, more than 4,100 applied for the 150 vacant spots during the 24-hour registration period.

Yesterday, NASA distributed emails to those who were selected to attend the upcoming Tweetup and….I wasn’t selected. Boo!

NASATweetup Twitter Account
NASATweetup Twitter Account

However, my email indicated I’m on the wait list (Twitter hashtag #NASAWaitUp). I tweeted my disappointment and a previous NASA Tweetup attendee encouraged me not to give up hope. He was on a wait list for the launch he registered for but was moved off the wait list and onto the invite list.

So, I’m now being cautiously optimistic a few spaces will open up allowing me to participate.

I’ve requested the time off and secured a hotel for Sunday and Monday nights – will probably drive to Orlando Tuesday night. Now I’m waiting to be called up.

And if I’m not? Yeah, I’ll be disappointed but it doesn’t mean I can’t see a launch. It’ll just be difficult to see it. Somehow, I’ll find a way. Maybe I’ll organize a Tweetup for all the #NASAWaitUp folks who’ll also be in town. Hmm…Stay tuned!

For those not in the know, a Tweetup is a gathering of like-minded Twitter users.

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Jenn

Jennifer A. Huber is an award-winning travel and outdoor blogger and writer in Southwest Florida. Originally from Buffalo, N.Y., a hiking trail led her to a career path in the tourism industry for more than 30 years. She spent a decade with a park management company in Yellowstone, Death Valley, and Everglades National Parks. She founded the travel blog, SoloTravelGirl.com with the goal of inspiring others to travel alone, not lonely. The unexpected death of her former husband in 2008 reminded her how short life is. His passing was a catalyst for sharing her experiences with the goal of inspiring and empowering others to travel solo. Jennifer holds a Travel Marketing Professional certification from the Southeast Tourism Society, is a certified food judge, member of the NASA Social community, and alum of the FBI Citizens Academy. When not traveling, she is either in the kitchen, practicing her photography skills, or road tripping with her dog, Radcliff.

That's me, Solo Travel Girl, swimming in Weeki Wachee Springs. Photo: Tammy Middleton/Studios Middleton
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