NASA wants to use my picture
Living so close to the Space Coast has its benefits; every time there is a shuttle launch I can view it, whether it is day or night.
NASA is a space agency with its main facilities in Florida and California and in other locations such as Texas, but here at the Kennedy Space Center is where launches occur. Meanwhile, the West Coast is home to space research facilities, where astronomers and biologists come together to perform lengthy research.
If it matters, I was involved in the Kennedy Space Center web site design, back in 2004 – perhaps, the best design so far visually and functionally if I say so myself.
So yesterday, when I received an email from NASA asking for permission to use my picture, I was left wondering what exactly they had in mind.
My domain portfolio includes domain names that are parked with Parked.com – the variety of templates and visuals and customization at Parked ares some of the things I like about them.
The domains I keep at Parked include a link to my domain managing portfolio company; if visitors click on the link they are then able to communicate with me via an email form. I prefer to use this method versus the built-in Parked form as I can track certain elements of visitors and trends.
It turns out that a NASA astrobiology scientist with an impressive career that spans almost 50 years with the agency visited AstronomyOnline.com and happened to like one of the template pictures provided by Parked.com. His email was a request for permission to use that picture in a media event.
After realizing what had happened, I emailed back explaining that the image was not mine but rather, an “advertisement” using imagery for effect and seized the opportunity to thank him and NASA for all that they’ve done throughout the years in space exploration.
Definitely an odd situation that brought a smile to my face as I realized that the Parked.com templates aren’t so bad after all! 
August 13th, 2010 at 6:20 pm
Cool story Theo!
August 13th, 2010 at 6:30 pm
hey Bill
It was definitely one of those “ahhhh!” moments. I think NASA deserves a whole lot more attention and recognition, just like every other agency that pioneered in their field. About the picture, maybe Parked could tell us who is the copyright holder 
August 13th, 2010 at 7:01 pm
“The domains I keep at Parked include a link to my domain managing portfolio company”
Is that Above.com or another service?
I understand if you’d rather not share.
August 13th, 2010 at 7:06 pm
tricolorro – No, I was referring to my own company.
August 13th, 2010 at 8:40 pm
That is pretty cool… one the emails you’ll want to hang on to. Next time tell them they have to buy the site if they want the picture
August 13th, 2010 at 8:48 pm
I give you permission to use the picture or NASA. I took it from my hubble telescope prototype in my back yard.
August 13th, 2010 at 9:57 pm
@Theo I agree,
Along with Stem Cell and Vaccine research is really interesting to me.
That email is one of those rare, cool things that happens on the net.
August 13th, 2010 at 10:06 pm
Mike – Now that’s something that never crossed my mind!
Donny – Even funnier
Bill – I believe the very well-respected NASA employee wasn’t thrilled by my response not resolving the issue of copyright for the picture he was after
August 13th, 2010 at 10:16 pm
At least you told the truth. I think alot of people would have said used it but credit their blogs or something.
Your name would show up in some NASA publication for a parked image. NOW that might not have thrilled him!
August 13th, 2010 at 10:21 pm
Bill, I’ve given away digital creations of my own for free in the past, to non-profits. Some even promised a reference and they didn’t deliver.
I would never mislead this gentleman; I thought though that the funny part is NASA actually Googling for images
August 13th, 2010 at 10:22 pm
Times are tough if you’re not bombing Iraq or Afghanistan