Sep 2 2010
From The Space Library
RELEASE: 10-260
NASA AND GOWALLA LAUNCH PARTNERSHIP WITH SEARCH FOR MOON ROCKS
WASHINGTON -- NASA and Gowalla, a mobile and web service, have partnered to bring users one small step closer to the universe. The partnership populates Gowalla with NASA-related information and four virtual items -- moon rocks, a NASA patch, a spacesuit and a space shuttle -- that can be found at agency-related venues. "NASA's partnership with Gowalla is a creative way for us to reach out and share information about what the nation's space agency is doing, said Bob Jacobs, NASA's deputy associate administrator for communications at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Gowalla users who virtually check-in at NASA-related venues and places of discovery via their smart phone have a chance to find the four agency virtual items which can be swapped for other items, dropped in locations or kept in their vault. Anyone with a Gowalla account who collects three of the four items will receive a special pin in their Gowalla Passport. In addition, the first 100 people to collect three items will win the special edition NASA+Gowalla Map: Search for the Moon Rocks by JESS3, a creative agency that specializes in data visualization. "Gowalla's mission is to inspire discovery by connecting people with the places around them, said Andy Ellwood, director of business development for Gowalla. Space is one of the most interesting places for human exploration, and this partnership with NASA encourages our community to visit places in their world to learn more about our universe. The partnership enables a NASA account and an account for astronaut Mike Massimino linked to the agency's primary Twitter account, @NASA, and Massimino's Twitter account, @Astro_Mike. NASA and Massimino also will drop virtual items for users to find and collect throughout the nation. Gowalla users can find virtual moon rocks by checking in to any location where a real one is on display. The United States successfully brought lunar samples back to Earth during the Apollo 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, and 17 missions. NASA provides a number of lunar samples for display at museums, planetariums and scientific expositions around the world. Most lunar displays are open to the public. Gowalla users can find the virtual NASA patch, spacesuit and space shuttles by checking in to NASA visitor centers, agency-related locations, or one of the more than 400 museums, science centers, planetariums, observatories, parks, nature centers, zoos and aquariums that are part of NASA's Museum Alliance. To view the map and connect with NASA and @Astro_Mike on Gowalla and other social media applications, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/connect Gowalla is available on iPhone, Blackberry, Android, Palm and the iPad.
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RELEASE: 10-257
NASA AND ETSY PARTNER ON A NEW TYPE OF SPACECRAFT
WASHINGTON -- NASA and Etsy, an online marketplace for handmade and vintage goods, have partnered to launch Space Craft, a contest where entrants share an original handmade item or work of art inspired by NASA and NASA's programs, such as the Space Shuttle Program and human spaceflight, aeronautics, science and exploration of the universe. Contestants can enter two-dimensional original art (painting, drawing, prints, mixed media, photographic, and computer generated prints). Three-dimensional entries, including wearable art and soft sculptures, also may be entered. The contestants will compete for one grand prize and three best-in-category prizes. The contest's grand prizewinner will receive a $500 Etsy-funded shopping spree. Etsy also will pay the winner's way to attend the space shuttle launch targeted for February 2011. NASA's goal is to help inform Etsy's 5.9 million members, 96 percent of whom are women, most under age 35, about the agency's present and future exploration plans. "The contest reaches an important audience NASA would like to better engage to help share the excitement that is America's space program, said Doug Comstock, director of Partnerships, Innovation and Commercial Space in NASA's Office of the Chief Technologist at NASA Headquarters in Washington. These craftspeople will bring new perspectives that can help communicate NASA's mission and inspire our next generation of explorers in new ways. Space Craft runs through Nov. 2. Entries will be judged online by members of the Etsy website. A panel of crafters and designers identified by Etsy and NASA will narrow the selection and select the winners. The winning entries will be selected Feb. 1, 2011.
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