LOCATION: Science Building, University of Southern Maine, Basement Level
DATE: Wednesday, November 6, 2013
TIME: 8-11:30 p.m.
Please join us for an event that will be "out of this world!"
NASA Astronaut, Rick Mastracchio, a fellow New Englander and native of Waterbury, CT, will be taking a travel bug and 11 hitchhikers from 11 CT elementary schools with him as he launches on Expedition 38 to the International Space Station (ISS). While on the ISS, Rick will also log the elusive ISS geocache (GC1BE91). His purpose in bringing the TB to space is to help inspire the next generation and bring more of an awareness of NASA and the ISS to elementary students, as well as to help teach them about geography here on Earth. Geocachers (and muggles) will be able to follow Rick's journey by adding Travel Bug TB5JJN1 to their watchlist and/or by following Rick on twitter @AstroRM.
On Wednesday, November 6th, as NASA Astronaut, Rick Mastracchio, prepares for his 4:08 GMT launch (11:08 p.m. EST) on the Russian Soyuz rocket, we will be hosting a launch viewing party on the USM campus in Portland. This venue will definitely be a "blast" and should offer something for almost everyone. There will be ongoing activities from 8-11:08 p.m. for those who wish to participate, as well as "space" for those who want this to be more of a simple meet and greet event. Since we have no control over the launch time, and it is rather late for a weeknight, the event will begin at 8 p.m. to accomodate those who may have early engagements the next morning. However, for those hearty souls who choose to stay to watch the launch live on the large screen, there will be a special surprise!
As a bonus, Geocaching.com will be giving a special souvenir to anyone who attends an event for Rick's launch!
The event will include a special planetarium show, a tour of the stars/constellations/planets visible in the night sky over southern Maine this time of year (no worries if the skies are cloudy as I have special powers!), and, of course, live viewing of the launch of Expedition 38 from Kazakhstan!
Please bring a dessert/snack to share with the group! Some ideas may include cookies/brownies/cupcakes, chips, cheese and crackers, fruit salad, pizza, etc. It would be great if you could please post what you will bring in your "will attend" log, as well as the number of folks in your party.
MC and I will provide a coffee maker and coffee. We will also provide "candy coated chocolates," (otherwise known as M&Ms here on Earth) as they are a favorite treat of astronauts on the ISS.
Hope to see you there!