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MMS Launch Party Kit

Planning Your MMS Launch Event

Use the resources below to host your MMS launch event! Follow these easy steps and pick what works for you.

  1. Watch the MMS Launch
  2. Join the Online Discussion
  3. Hands-On Activities
  4. Explore Mobile Apps
  5. Provide MMS Handouts
  6. Watch MMS Videos
  7. Invite Local Speakers
  8. Set up a Weather Photo Gallery

1. Watch the MMS Launch

Tune in on NASA TV, NASA EDGE and NASA EDGE USTREAM to watch the launch and attend the press conference. It's just like you're there! The launch is currently scheduled for March 12, 2015, but please continue to check this website and social media for potential updates as the launch draws closer.
http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

The NASA EDGE MMS live webcast from NASA Kennedy Space Center starts at 9:15 pm on Thursday, March 12 and ends at 10:50 pm.
+ NASA EDGE Website
+ NASA EDGE USTREAM Website
+ Past NASA EDGE MMS Shows

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2. Join the Online Discussion

MMS MAGNETIC SPACE CAFÉ
We've created an online group for those who wish to stay up to date with the MMS community. Here you will find mission outreach updates, chat with other mission enthusiasts and share ideas! We will also keep you posted about the upcoming launch in March!

To join the group, click this link, “MMS MAGNETIC SPACE CAFÉ”, enter your email address and simply reply to the confirmation email that you will receive. That's it!

Social Media Community:

Shared Networks to Join and Explore:

GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER:

NASA EDGE

THE SUN TODAY

SUN-EARTH DAY (SED)

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3. Provide Hands-On Activities

  • Model Building – What better way to learn about the MMS mission and the instruments aboard all four spacecraft than by building a model! Use these models to make and even stronger connection between engineering and mathematics while highlighting the importance of the MMS mission: LEGO, Paper, Card.
  • NASA Wavelength is your pathway into a digital collection of Earth and space science resources for educators of all levels — from elementary to college, to out-of-school programs. Use NASA Wavelength to easily locate resources for your MMS Launch Party and/or to find resources based on Magnetism. Quickly link them to other websites using atom feeds, create personal lists and even share the resources you discover with others through social media and email.
  • MMS Educator Lesson Plans and Activities – This collection of lesson plans and ‘easy to do’ activities are just the hook you need to bring the science of Space Weather and magnetism to your students: Grades K-5, 6-8, 9-12. Here you can do everything from building an edible model of the sun to learning how to make a real space weather broadcast!

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4. Explore Mobile Apps

NASA Television NASA Television
The NASA Television App brings live and on-demand TV programming to your phone. Watch the latest NASA events unfold in real-time or select from a list of recently uploaded videos. Or plan your viewing up to a week in advance with the NASA TV schedule.
NASA App NASA App
The NASA App showcases a huge collection of the latest NASA content, including images, videos on-demand, NASA Television, mission information, news & feature stories, latest tweets, ISS sighting opportunities, satellite tracking, Third Rock Radio and much more.
DIY Sun Science DIY Sun Science
DIY Sun Science, funded by NASA, allows families and educators to investigate and learn about the Sun at home, at school, or anywhere you go! Developed by UC Berkeley’s The Lawrence Hall of Science.
NASA Space Weather NASA Space Weather
The NASA Space Weather App provides access to space environment information from the sun to the earth, giving users a look at complex physical processes as they evolve, and how these processes affect the near earth space environment.
NASA Space Weather Media Viewer NASA Space Weather Media Viewer
The Space Weather Media Viewer features near-real-time imagery from a wide variety of NASA missions, as well as video interviews with prominent scientists about the causes of space phenomena and NASA-created visualizations. The Space Weather Media Viewer was created as part of NASA's education and public outreach program.
Astronomy Picture of the Day Astronomy Picture of the Day
Developed in partnership with NASA, Astronomy Picture of the Day for the iPhone/iPad brings the vastness of space right into your hand. Browse through decades of high resolution NASA space photos hand selected by NASA astronomers. Jump to photos by date, save them to your photo roll or share them friends. Want that latest Hubble photo as a background? Then APOD is for you.
Space Images Space Images
NASA/JPL's Space Images V2 has arrived, packing exciting new features, videos and stunning hi-res photos. Already a fan? Upgrade to start sharing images with friends on Facebook and Twitter, browse our new video collection and get even closer to the space you love. It's all free!
NASA Science: A Journey of Discovery NASA Science: A Journey of Discovery
NASA leads the nation on a great journey of discovery, seeking new knowledge and understanding of our planet Earth, our Sun and solar system, and the universe out to its farthest reaches and back to its earliest moments of existence. This NASA Science application brings you the latest information from NASA's Science Missions, including the spacecraft, their instruments, the data, and what we are learning about the questions we seek to answer.
Spacecraft 3D Spacecraft 3D
NASA's Spacecraft 3D is an augmented reality (AR) application that lets you learn about and interact with a variety of spacecraft that are used to explore our solar system, study Earth, and observe the universe. Using a printed AR Target and the camera on your mobile device, you can get up close with these robotic explorers, see how they move, and learn about the the engineering feats used to expand our knowledge and understanding of space. Spacecraft 3D will be updated over time to include more of the amazing spacecraft that act as our robotic eyes on the earth, the solar system and beyond!
Rocket Science 101 Rocket Science 101
You don't have to be a rocket scientist to launch a NASA spacecraft with NASA's Rocket Science 101 (RS101)! Select your favorite NASA mission and build a rocket to send the spacecraft into orbit. As you take the RS101 challenge, you can learn more about thrilling missions and the various components of the launch vehicles, how they are configured and how they work together to successfully launch a NASA spacecraft. NASA's Launch Services Program (LSP) does the same things for real rockets and exciting spacecraft missions every day - now it's your turn!

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5. Provide MMS Hand-outs

  • Bookmark/Paper Model Activity – This easy to do activity combines an MMS bookmark with a 1/30-scale model of the MMS spacecraft. The back includes important URLs and QR codes for quick access to additional information about the science and engineering of the mission.
  • MMS Tabletop Display – The MMS team has developed a new way to help you and your audience stays connected with the mission! From this page, you can download and set up your own small- or large-scale MMS display that will act as a gateway to the latest information about the mission. A scan of the QR Code (“Quick Response Code”) found on each of the panels in your display will instantly take you and your audience to specialized web pages on the MMS website containing even more information about the science, technology, engineering and mathematics of MMS.
  • MMS Poster – This downloadable poster will certainly add a NASA feel to your party. On the back you will see a deconstructed view of a MMS observatory.
  • MMS Poster – Letter Size – This 8½” by 11” version is a replica of the larger MMS poster and makes the perfect handout at any launch party.
  • MMS Mission Brochure – (coming soon)

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6. Watch MMS Videos

Recommended Videos and Animations

  • MMS Mission Trailer – This short trailer will certainly energize your audience as they prepare to see the launch of four identical MMS observatories that will enable scientists to study how magnetic fields around Earth connect and disconnect, explosively releasing energy — a process known as magnetic reconnection.
  • MMS: Engineering Challenges – It's hard enough to build one spacecraft, but the Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission (MMS) is building four. Together, the spacecraft will unlock the mysteries of magnetic reconnection, when magnetic fields explosively connect and disconnect, transferring energy. MMS will measure reconnection between the sun's and Earth's magnetic fields. We want to learn more about magnetic reconnection because it can affect systems like GPS, radio communication, and electrical power grids.
  • 3 Days in 1 Minute: Stacking the MMS Spacecraft – The Magnetospheric Multiscale, or MMS, mission stacked all four of its spacecraft in preparation for vibration testing. This time lapse shows one image every thirty seconds over three days of work.
  • MMS Launch and Deployment – This animation shows the launch and deployment of the 4 MMS observatories. MMS is scheduled to launch in 2015 on an ATLAS V 421 launch vehicle.

Collections

  • NASA EDGE Vodcasts – Join the NASA EDGE team as they monitor and explore the science and technology of the Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission. Each new 15-minute episode will give you a ‘behind the scenes’ look at the mission and it's amazing people!
  • Faces of MMS – Each video in this series will provide you with a quick peek into the lives and careers of the extraordinary people who make up the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) Mission. A variety of experts including scientists, engineers, technicians, educators, photographers and more will provide you with information about the mission while answering questions such as: How did you get involved with the MMS mission? Why is your work so important? What advice can you offer to those interested in pursuing a similar career?
  • MMS YouTube Channel – Browse through the latest playlists from the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) Mission.
  • MMS Scientific Visualization Studio – Visit this site to download all of our available videos in high-resolution!

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7. Invite Local Speakers

  • Space Scientists – Contact your local university space science departments.
  • Heliophysics Scientists – Contact your local university's natural resource department.
  • Amateur Astronomers – Locate an astronomy club in your area at Go Astronomy or at The Astronomical League.
  • Educators/Teachers – Contact science teachers at your local school.

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8. Set Up a Weather Photo Gallery

Set up your own photo gallery of about the MMS mission, magnetisim or model making to inspire people and showcase the beauty of MMS science and engineering! You can use your own photos, ask people for submissions, or use some of ours. Here are some links to get you started:

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