NASA To Create Instagram Profile To Share Pictures of Universe With Fans

In an attempt to take fans on an "out-of-this-world" journey, NASA will soon be launching an Instagram profile to share pictures of the Universe.

NASA is always trying new and innovative ways to try and get the public's attention toward their various missions. The space agency recently announced that it will soon be launching an Instagram profile to share pictures of Earth and the Universe with its fans.

"We're constantly looking to expand our social media portfolio to include tools that will best tell NASA's story of exploration and discovery," said NASA press secretary Lauren Worley in a press release. "Instagram has a passionate following of users who are hungry for new and exciting photos. We believe we have some of the most engaging images on and off the planet -- and we can't wait to engage with Instagrammers."

The first NASA posts will highlight the launch of the agency's Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) at 11:27 p.m. EDT Friday, from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility on Wallops Island, Va.

LADEE is a small robot-like spacecraft that weighs less than 850 pounds with fuel and has about the same size and weight of a small car. NASA stated that the purpose of LADEE is to collect detailed data on moon's tenuous atmosphere. By studying the atmosphere and the lunar surface in greater depth, scientists will have a better understanding of the other planets that make up our solar system.

The spacecraft was launched Friday. The mission is expected to last for 160 days wherein 30 days are allotted for the time it should reach the moon, 100 days would be for scientific exploration, and 30 days for it to return.

"The LADEE spacecraft is working as it was designed to under these conditions - there's no indication of anything wrong with the reaction wheels or spacecraft," said S. Pete Worden, Ames center director. "The LADEE spacecraft is communicating and is very robust. "