WASHINGTON, Dec. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- NASA will give 70 of its social media followers an insider's look at America's space program and the opportunity to see a launch in-person. The NASA Social, scheduled for Jan. 28-29 to coincide with the launch of NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellite-K (TDRS-K), will be held at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

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NASA Socials are in-person meetings with people who engage with the agency through Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and other social networks.

TDRS-K is targeted to launch at 8:52 p.m. EST Jan. 29 on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket.

Registration for the NASA Social opens at 3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13, and closes at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Dec.19. Participants will be selected from online registrations. Because portions of this event may take place in restricted areas, registration is limited to U.S. citizens.

Participants will have unique behind the scenes experiences with NASA, which they are encouraged to share with others through their favorite social networks. Guests will view the launch, tour facilities at Kennedy, speak with representatives from NASA and the Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) Office, visit the Atlas V launch pad, and meet fellow space enthusiasts who are active on social media and members of NASA's social media team.

The Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System is a space-based communication system used to provide tracking, telemetry, command, and high bandwidth data return services to its many customers. A major component of the system is the spacecraft itself, TDRS. Currently, there are 7 operational satellites that provide in-flight communications with spacecraft operating in low-Earth orbit. Aboard each satellite are multiple antennae that send and receive signals both to and from the ground to multiple satellites simultaneously. As a result, TDRS provides a wide variety of services to meet customers' needs and demands.

For more information on the NASA Social and to register, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/social  

To find all the ways to connect and collaborate with NASA, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/connect

To learn more about TDRS, visit:

http://tdrs.gsfc.nasa.gov/ 

SOURCE NASA