In 2007, a small group of people began an intentional, collaborative experiment in open, transparent, and direct communication about your space program. Our goal was to enable your direct participation in exploring and contributing to NASA’s mission.

Many of us have since begun new adventures. This site will remain as an archive of the accomplishments of the openNASA experiment.

Nick Skytland

As part of Social Media Week, NASA will hold a Tweetup with Astronaut Ron Garan at 1:30 p.m. EST on Tuesday, Feb. 14. The event will take place in the James E. Webb Memorial Auditorium at NASA Headquarters, 300 E St. SW, Washington. This NASA Tweetup is an opportunity to meet and speak with Garan, the people behind @NASA account and other space-exploration-minded participants. Space is limited and registration is required. Registration opens at 12 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 20 and closes at 12 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 24. NASA will accommodate a total of 150 tweeps and their guests randomly selected from those who sign up on the Web. NASA also will place some registrants on a waiting list. The event will also be streamed on NASA TV.

Garan spent 164 days in space during the Expedition 27 and Expedition 28 missions to the International Space Station. He and his crewmates launched April 4, 2011, and returned to Earth on Sept. 15, 2011. While aboard the station, the crew continued work on a variety of microgravity experiments and received provisions from two shuttle missions, including the last space shuttle visit to the station. Garan participated in the last space-shuttle-based spacewalk during the STS-135 mission.

During his time in space, Garan shared his experiences and images he took of Earth from the space station via his Twitter account, @Astro_Ron, and blog.

Registration for the event is open to @NASA followers and their guests from 12 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 20, until 12 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 24. NASA will select 150 total participants from those who register online via a lottery.