Some of you might remember that TPR was able to attend the SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket Launch in March 2013 as part of the @NASASocial group. (Please follow their Twitter!)

FULL DISCLOSURE!!! I am not a "space geek", but I pretend to be one during these events. I find the events to be fantastic and the subject matter interesting on so many levels, and love sharing it with all of you, but if I don't know every fact or figure, or might mess up some jargon here or there, please forgive me! I'm a "theme park geek" at heart with an inner-space nerd who still has plenty of learning to do!

That being said, let me just talk for a moment about why these events, from an "event planning" perspective are so fascinating to me. To me, these events are JUST like a TPR "Bash event", but for space geeks! They do backstage tours, have Q&As, get together with other people who love the subject matter and totally "geek out" over it. They share stories online, have friends from other meet-ups, make friends, etc, etc. It's awesome! Best of all, it's just great to see an event like this from the "other side" and instead of being the one organizing it, I'm now the one enjoying it!

Ok, so about the event. This was a multi-day event covering the Atlas V rocket launch that was carrying the Maven spacecraft designed to orbit Mars and collect data about the Martian atmosphere. (not gonna lie, I lifted that info right from Wikipedia!) =)

I spent a day touring several areas of the Kennedy Space Center, most of which normal tourists to the visitor center do not have access to, listening to senior level staff involved with the program talk about Maven, and listen to some decorated astronauts speak about their experiences in Space and working with NASA. On Day two, I got to tour one of the launch pads that is being converted for use for an upcoming new program, and then finally the launch of MAVEN.

On the launch, all I can say is WOW! If you're interested in space exploration at all, please visit the NASA website for schedules of when they will launch rockets. There is a lot going on right now not only with NASA, but in the private, commercial sector, and launches happen probably more often than you think. KSC Event Schedule: http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/events.aspx

Ok, onto photos & video!

I'm sure the thing you want to see most is something BLASTING OFF into the sky, so here goes! Video of MAVEN's lift off!!!

NASA Social says "GO MAVEN!!!"

Next up was another awesome tour... NASA Launch Control Center!

Patch collectors would LOVE to have this wall!

Yes! This is actual Mission Control where the Space Shuttles were actually launched from! If only Gary Sinise were here, we could totally reenact the pre-show for Mission: Space. "The X-2 Deep Space Shuttle. It's powered by solid hydrogen, and can accelerate from zero to six thousand in sixty seconds. So when you hear the words "Go For Launch," you'll definitely want to hang on."

ROBB!!! DO NOT PRESS THAT BUTTON!!!!!

Hey, look! Space Shuttle Crawler POV!!!

Driving up to launch pad 39B for an up close tour!

Launch pad 39B is currently being renovated for use in the SLS program. Yes, rockets will be launching from here again in December 2017!

Here I am standing in the "flame trench!" DO NOT LAUNCH THAT ROCKET!!!! NOOOOOOooooooo!

Stuff happens here. I'm not sure what. But it does....

Next up was "Swamp Works." This was the R&D arm of NASA...sort of like the "Walt Disney Imagineering of Space Exploration."

All I know is that they have a BAD ASS logo!!!

In this room was probably the most "Science stuff" I've ever seen in one place in my life.

Lots of strange machines that made funny whirring noises.

I felt like at any moment they could start doing experiments on one of us! (Shhhhh! Don't tell them I'm an alien!!!!)

Things attached to copper plates on the ceiling. I'm not sure why they need this (but I'm sure one of our engineering geeks will tell us!)

Seriously, they just have some crazy, cool looking stuff in these rooms. If this was a Candy Factory, there would be Oopma Loompas an a 900-year old Gene Wilder dancing around.

I don't know what this is, but I wanted to mount a GoPro to it and let it fly around!

Does anyone want to E-Stop the Space Program? No? Ok, good. Moving on now...

YES!!! We are here! All lined up to see MAVEN BLAST OFF!!!!

Click here for Page 4 of MAVEN Rocket to Mars! NASA Kennedy Space Center Launch TR! Photos

MAVEN Rocket to Mars! NASA Kennedy Space Center Launch TR! - Page 1 2 3 4

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