I’m going to Kennedy Space Center to watch the Europa Clipper launch (hopefully)
Remember that conversation I had with my friend Creed on THE MattDanToddcast Podcast a few months ago? I’m sure you do.
But…
if you didn’t, here’s the episode. Just give it a listen and then come back. Oh, and go ahead and like, follow, subscribe, or whatever you have to do to get notifications from your favorite listening platform.
Well, Creed got me thinking about that dream I’ve always had of attending a rocket launch and got me thinking. And you know how thinking can get you in trouble, right? Well, anyway, I did the thing. I applied to participate in the upcoming NASA Social event that culminates with the launch of Europa Clipper – the largest ship NASA has ever built for a planetary mission.
Not too long ago, I received this email:
That’s right, y’all. I’m heading to Kennedy Space Center!
The event includes the opportunity to:
- Tour NASA facilities at Kennedy Space Center
- Meet and interact with subject matter experts
- Meet fellow social media influencers and space enthusiasts
- Meet members of NASA’s social media team
- View the launch of NASA’s Europa Clipper Launch
Y’all. I received this email about two weeks ago and it’s still blowing my mind. In fact, as I typed this out just now, I found myself doing a little jig.
Why did it take me so long to share this news?
Other than a brief teaser on my Facebook page, I’ve kind of kept this mission kind of quiet up until now. I had a whole content plan lined up for a series of posts and announcements, but I wound up scrapping that for a variety of reasons. There were a lot of logistical things to get straightened out. And then hurricane Helene devastated my second home. I was a bit uncomfortable with the idea of publishing a celebratory post in the midst of Hurricane Helene and the heartbreaking and horrifying nightmare in Upper East Tennessee/Western North Carolina – a place we’ve always called our second home. It just didn’t feel right.
But that’s the way life is sometimes, right? Happiness coupled with sorrow – the highest of highs paired with the lowest of lows – are a core component of the human experience. So although I’m still a little uneasy with celebrating, life continues to march along. So we press on, drinking the universal cocktail of bitterness and grief mixed with joy and exhilaration.
Of course, that’s not all…
Then there was the possibility of another hurricane forming in the Gulf. Turns out it’s probably “just” a tropical depression. But then there’s the high probability that another tropical depression could come right on the heels of that one. That’s a lot of rain in one week.# This could prove troublesome.
Yes, it could cause some travel issues. But it also could impact the launch because weather conditions have to be favorable. I’m not sure what the conditions are, but hurricane-force winds probably mean a delay. Even too much rain could mean a delay. And a delay would mean I need to have a flexible travel schedule. Or miss the event.
I ain’t missing NASA Social, y’all. Not this time.
I’ll be honest, I’ve been paralyzed by this. I’ve hoped for some magic answer from the weather experts. Things are still too uncertain. So Christy and I have spent a lot of mental energy trying to figure out the best way to have some type of adjustable schedule while maintaining some semblance of good financial stewardship. I can’t just stay down there for weeks on end, waiting for the exact-right weather conditions at the exact-right time of day.
But I also need to do everything in my power to attend this. Because it would be pretty disappointing if I had to turn down this invitation. Again.
So you could say I’m winging it.* Or maybe I’m flying by the seat of my pants.^ But I’m leavin’ on a jet plane on Tuesday. And I don’t know when I’ll be back again.
OK. That’s not entirely true. I have a return flight booked. But it can be moved. I’m desperately hoping we don’t have to do that.
Stay tuned!
I’m incredibly grateful for this second chance at participating in a NASA Social event. When I had to back out last time, I was afraid I might have blacklisted myself. I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure that they don’t regret giving me this opportunity.
I think I have a robust content plan in mind for everything I want to share regarding the Europa Clipper launch and mission. Even if I wind up posting just half of it, it’ll be good stuff. Blog posts, social media posts, podcast episodes…you name it. If it’s digital media, I’m here for it. Because I’m not throwing away this shot.
So stay tuned! You don’t want to miss this as I share this amazing opportunity with you.
- Subscribe to the blog so you don’t miss a post
- Like and follow my Facebook Page
- Subscribe to my podcast – THE MattDanToddcast Podcast – wherever you listen to podcasts (and rate it highly if you have the opportunity – I’ve been told that helps)
- Follow me on
Twitterx (@mattdantodd) – follow the #NASASocial hashtag for all the updates from all the participants - I’ll share stuff on Threads, too (@mattdantodd)
- It also wouldn’t hurt if you subscribed to my YouTube channel
Thank you for your continued support over the years. It makes my SpaceGeek Heart go pitter-pat. And thanks again to Creed for the little nudge I needed. Now, let’s hope all the rain stays away long enough so NASA can light this candle.
Who knows? Maybe I’ll get to talk with an astronaut or two while I’m at Kennedy Space Center. If I do, I’ll be sure to ask them about their liftoff songs so I can add them to my playlist.
UPDATE (10/6/2024, 8:20 p.m.):
NASA has officially delayed the Europa Clipper launch (and NASA Social event). This is 100% the right move and once it became clear that there was a very real threat to Central Florida, I expected nothing less than a stand down.
Praying everyone remains safe during this storm and that all the planets align (pun intended [see endnotes]) so I’ll still be able to participate in this incredible opportunity. Stay tuned (I know I am)…
endnotes
*Pun most definitely intended.
^Yep. I meant to do that here, too. I’ve been a dad for nearly a quarter of a century. Dad Jokes and puns are like a second language to me.
#This is a very fluid situation. Between the time I wrote this and the time I posted, the probability of this getting stronger has increased. In fact, some are speculating that this could become Hurricane Milton. Then again…maybe not…I guess we’ll find out soon.
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