SpaceX will Resupply ISS for NASA with Dragon Capsule: Win a Front Row Seat

The International Space Station doesn't resupply itself. SpaceX, the private space firm which is now being employed by NASA, is set to launch its second operational cargo resupply mission to the ISS on March 1.

SpaceX has risen to be one of the more established private space firms, despite having some growing pains in the beginning. Failed rocket tests peppered the media as the firm tried to get off the ground. Now, though, SpaceX has had a string of successes that have helped changed public perception. Eventually, the company hopes to ferry astronauts to and from the ISS rather than just cargo. Their current date for reaching that goal is 2015.

Currently, the resupply launch is scheduled for 10:10 a.m. EST on March 1. At that time, SpaceX will launch its dragon capsule carrying about 1,200 pounds of supplies and experiments to the space station crew. The capsule will be placed atop the company's Falcon 9 rocket from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Space Launch Complex 40 in Florida.

After launch, the space station's robot arm will capture the Dragon spacecraft when it arrives on March 2. The SpaceX capsule will then remain attached to the ISS Harmony module for a few weeks as cargo is unloaded and experiment samples are placed in the spacecraft for its return journey to Earth.

The launch, though, isn't going to be as private as the company. NASA is currently offering 50 social media users a chance to watch the launch and pre-launch activities at Cape Canaveral with the same privileges as accredited media.

Want to get in on the action? You can enter at NASA's social media application site in order to get a front row seat to watch the resupply launch, meet and interact with representatives from NASA and SpaceX and meet members of NASA's social media teams. The deadline for applying is 5:00 p.m. EST on Friday Feb. 22.