Nov. 28, 2018

A social media post led Sioux Falls photographer Wes Eisenhauer to a dream assignment: The chance to document an upcoming NASA SpaceX launch.

“This opportunity initially came on my radar through a twitter post that NASA made saying they were looking for people that were active on social media to come document the SpaceX launch,” Eisenhauer said.

“Someone tagged me in the post saying I would be a good fit and that I should apply.”

His application process included sharing some of his work at Wes Eisenhauer Photography, linking to his social media accounts and showing his website, weseisenhauer.com.

It likely helped that he’s a self-described lover of astrophotography.

“I’m very appreciative of having such clear skies and lack of light pollution in South Dakota,” he said.

One of his favorite things to do is photography the Milky Way galaxy, he said.

This is a frame from a time-lapse where he captured an asteroid exploding in the atmosphere.

“The time-lapse got some traction in the photography and aerospace community since it was such a rare astronomical event,” he said. “The clip was featured by Time magazine and National Geographic, which may have helped me in the selection process.”

Here’s the full video, which has more than 1 million views.

Eisenhauer said he was surprised and excited to be chosen for the NASA assignment.

“I’m looking forward to meeting the other people that were selected to participate, touring the facilities and seeing how close I can actually get to the rocket to photograph it.”

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled to lift off Dec. 4 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. It will deliver supplies to the International Space Station.

“I have a whole itinerary laid out for me for the two days I’ll be there,” Eisenhauer said. “I’ll be shuttled into the NASA facilities where I’ll get to talk with NASA scientists, I’ll have access to the launch site and be able to photograph the rocket.”

He’s also invited to social events and will be able to watch the launch from a NASA viewing area.

You can follow along on Instagram at @wes_eisenhauer where he will share photos and post an active story while he’s there.