Media Events to Highlight Cargo on NASA's Last Shuttle Flight

Michael Curie

Headquarters, Washington                               

 

Tracy Young

Kennedy Space Center, Fla.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida will host two media events to highlight the hardware flying aboard the final space shuttle mission, targeted to launch July 8.

At 1 p.m. EDT on Friday, June 10, managers and team members involved in processing the elements for flight will be available for media interviews at Kennedy's Space Station Processing Facility. During its STS-135 mission, shuttle Atlantis will carry the multi-purpose logistics module Raffaello, filled with a variety of spare parts and supplies for the International Space Station. Atlantis also will deliver the Robotic Refueling Mission system, which will investigate the potential for robotically refueling existing spacecraft in orbit.

At 6 a.m. on Friday, June 17, news media representatives are invited to attend a sunrise photo opportunity at Launch Pad 39A. Atlantis' payloads are scheduled to arrive at the launch pad during the evening on June 16. The rotating service structure, which protects Atlantis from inclement weather and provides access while at the pad, will be open to support the lifting of the payload canister for eventual transfer into the shuttle's payload bay.

Reporters without permanent Kennedy credentials should submit their requests online at https://media.ksc.nasa.gov.

For the June 10 event, U.S. reporters must apply by 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 8. Accreditation for international journalists for this event is closed. For the June 17 event, international journalists must apply for credentials by 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 8. U.S. reporters must apply by 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 15.

Journalists planning to attend the June 10 event must arrive at Kennedy's news center by 12:15 p.m. for transportation to the Space Station Processing Facility. For the June 17 event, journalists must arrive at Kennedy's news center by 5:30 a.m. for transportation to the launch pad.

To attend both events, news media representatives must be dressed in full-length pants, flat shoes that entirely cover the feet and shirts with sleeves. Wireless microphones and cell phones are not permitted at the launch pad.

For information about the STS-135 mission, visit http://go.nasa.gov/STS-135.

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