NASA Releases First Multi-Player Facebook Game

WASHINGTON -- NASA has launched its first multi-player online game to
test players' knowledge of the space program. Who was the first
American to walk in space? Who launched the first liquid-fueled
rocket? These are only a few of the questions players can answer in
Space Race Blastoff.

Available on Facebook, Space Race Blastoff tests players' knowledge of
NASA history, technology, science and pop culture. Players who
correctly answer questions earn virtual badges depicting NASA
astronauts, spacecraft and celestial objects. Players also earn
points they can use to obtain additional badges to complete sets and
earn premium badges.

"Space Race Blastoff opens NASA's history and research to a wide new
audience of people accustomed to using social media," said David
Weaver, NASA's associate administrator for communications. "Space
experts and novices will learn new things about how exploration
continues to impact our world."

NASA chose to make the game available through Facebook to take
advantage of the social media site's large audience and enable
players to compete against others. Individuals also can play solo games.

Once in the game, players choose an avatar and answer 10
multiple-choice questions. Each correct answer earns 100 points, with
a 20-point bonus to the player who answers first. The winner advances
to the bonus round to answer one additional question for more points.

Correctly answering the bonus question earns the player a badge.

Space Race Blastoff was developed by Scott Hanger, Todd Powell and
Jamie Noguchi of NASA's Internet Services Group in the Office of
Communications. Play the game now at:

http://apps.facebook.com/spacerace

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