NASA will host about 75 social media followers May 4 at the Dryden Flight Research Center
It’s new, it’s bigger, and it’s social… An open invitation from NASA to all agency’s social media followers, to register in a new NASA Social event for a chance to go behind-the-scenes and learn more about NASA aeronautics, science and other projects at the agency’s Dryden Flight Research Center on Edwards Air Force Base in California.
Registration opens at 8 a.m. PDT on Monday, April 9, and closes at noon on Wednesday, April 11. Only 75 random registrants (18 or older and U.S. citizens only) will be selected to physically visit the Dryden Flight Research Center, and they must be social media followers of NASA on Twitter (@NASADryden, @NASA, @NASASocial), Facebook (NASA, NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center) or Google + (NASA).
Social is very important for NASA, whose past social events were successful enough to inspire the agency to grow the number of participants from 30, to 50 and now 75. While many companies still ponder whether they need social media or not, NASA’s social strategy is evolving, growing. A great lesson in communications that boosted NASA’s popularity over the past years more than traditional PR.
NASA Social is the logical evolution of the agency’s popular Tweetups, which have brought thousands of people together for a unique social media experience into its programs of exploration and discovery. The Tweetups are now aligning with the expanding online community, and as such, change their name to reflect this growth.
According to NASA’s Social official page, a NASA Social is an informal meeting of people who engage with NASA social media accounts. Socials provide NASA followers with the opportunity to go behind-the-scenes at NASA facilities and events and speak with scientists, engineers, astronauts and managers. NASA Socials range from two hours to two days in length and include a “meet and greet” session to allow participants to mingle with fellow socialites and the people behind NASA’s social media accounts. Registration for NASA Socials will be announced on this page, @NASA and @NASASocial.
The next NASA Social event at Dryden Flight Research Center on Edwards Air Force Base in California will take place May 4, beginning at 7:30 a.m. PDT. The event will include tours of current aircraft ( LLRV, M2F1, X1-E, F104, F-8 Supercritical Wing, F-8 Digital Fly-by-Wire and the SR-71 Blackbird); presentations on cutting-edge aeronautical research and science projects; and meetings with NASA pilots who fly high performance, unmanned, and support aircraft. Not only will guests learn about sonic booms, they could experience one first-hand.