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!!!

Countdown! 3....2....1.... WE HAVE LIFTOFF!!!!

Maven is airborne!!!

It is seriously AWESOME being so close to the launch. You can FEEL the power of this sucker lifting off into space. It's incredible!

The trail is one of the brightest things I've ever seen. I believe we are about as close as a civilian can get to a rocket launch this powerful. Please WATCH THE VIDEO above to get an idea of what it's like, but you simply cannot describe it. If you ever get the chance to attend a rocket launch in person, I highly recommend it!

And there is Launch Complex 41 still smoking a few moments after MAVEN lifted off...

I want to send a HUGE THANK YOU once again to NASA Social and the entire group of people that I met during this event. Please follow @NASASocial on Twitter! Oh, and a shout out to @andresdavid who is the one that got me into this whole mess to begin with! Thank you!

And...oh, yes... The @NASASocial #MAVEN Group Photo!!!

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

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