Master BP
Knowledge is power
GRAIL Preparation
Sep 5th
See Main Article.
Finally, few days ago, the complete public schedule for the GRAIL mission posted to the members. It is pretty excited when the list mentioned that some astronauts are planned to join and greet us. True that if you go to Kennedy Space Center you may meet them, but it is not going to be personal and so closed to the group. On top of that, I’m scheduled to have lunch with Charles Duke (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Duke). Yes, the astronaut of Apollo 16, who has landed on the Moon!
Half of the first day will be spent to visit several areas in Kennedy Space Center by the NASA’s personnel. This will include Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and the famous Press Site launch countdown clock. A special permission granted to visit Vehicle Assembly building and Launch Complex 17 which is holding GRAIL twin spacecraft inside of the Delta 2 rocket. This will be the highlight of the day which we could stand so close to the rocket. Since we are going to be in the same area, we are visiting Launch Complex 41 which is the launch place for Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity. That is planned to be launched on November 25 this year.
NASA will broadcast a portion of the Tweetup when attendees talk with NASA Administrator Charles Bolden; Jim Adams, deputy director of planetary science at NASA Headquarters in Washington; Maria Zuber, GRAIL principal investigator at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge; Sami Asmar, GRAIL deputy project scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif.; and Neil deGrasse Tyson, astrophysicist and Frederick P. Rose Director at the American Museum of Natural History’s Hayden Planetarium in New York. -NASA Tweetup bulletin-
GRAIL Introduction
Aug 14th
Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory is a twin spacecraft that will be flying in tandem around moon’s orbit to measure gravity field. The data collected from the twins can be used to study moon’s structure, from the surface (crust) to the core. By doing such research, it will help scientists to have more understanding in the thermal evolution, structure and mapping.
In this rare opportunity, I was selected to participate the history launch. I was in the last Space Shuttle (STS-135) waiting list, but couldn’t make it. So, this is a great chance for me to join and meet great people who have the same passion about space exploration. Special shout-out to NASA’s crew who called me directly to gather more information and documentation to get security clearance. Thank you!
Here are some links to abundant information about GRAIL mission:
- NASA: http://science.nasa.gov/missions/grail/
- MIT: http://moon.mit.edu/
NASATweetup information
- Main GRAIL Tweetup wiki page
- Facebook group
- Google map
- Official NASA GRAIL participant
Please refer to the Main Link (first) above for exhausted information about this mission, attendance, schedule, events, documents, photos and groups. Some of the link might not be available due to internal group approval only.
More information at GRAIL Mission page.
Invited to visit NASA rocket launch!!!
Aug 4th
YES!!! There’s no word coming from my mouth when I received this amazing news.
I was walking my dog, Lexy, in the afternoon. When she’s doing her business, running around the park and sniffing other dogs, I saw my name in the @NASATweetup list. Still couldn’t believe, I tried to refresh my Twitter apps so many times. Then I read thoroughly the exhausting list and finally I was 100% sure that my name is indeed in the list. I didn’t recall what was my dream that night, but I literally stoked and freezed for few seconds.
So, what is this about? NASA’s new twin satellites will be launch to the moon orbit on September 7-8, 2011. Bunch of selected people are invited to cover the briefing, media coverage, including watching the launch from a special area. This mission is called GRAIL (Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory. The purpose and main objective is to study the structure of the moon interior from surface (crust) to the core. Why? By doing such research, it will help scientists to have more understanding in the thermal evolution, as well as moon structure and map.
The launch is going to be held in Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. I’m so excited about this. A bit worried about the weather in there… 90-100F with high humidity? Well, I need to prepare for that! That’s it for now, I’m going to be busy planning for the trip.
Zombie walk in Seattle
Jul 2nd
What’s other fun than 4th of July long weekend, awesome sunny day, firecrackers and patriotism? Zombies! What? Yes, you heard it. Zombies!
In 2009, Seattle received the Guinness World of Record to have 3,900 plus living and walking zombies. They were walking among the mortals, from centuries old zombie-dracula mix till the unborn draconian babies. The undeads are attracted to fancy costumes, beer, mobile food, live music and of course the proud anthem of Thriller by Michael Jackson which always be presented as a flash mob. However, sadly, not long time after, New Jersey stole the number. How dare you!
This time, we’re back and preparing scarier, uglier and bigger zombies from all over Seattle. All get together in around the center of the universe, known as Fremont. To cut it short, let’s give a big applause for all zombies who participate and try to regain our record in the name of blood. Did someone say blood? Hmmm… blood…. brain… I need brain…. Got to go, need brainnnn…
Click here to see some scary photos.
Site: http://www.zombcon.com/
