NASA Ames Features Live Broadcast of Final Space Shuttle Launch

Rachel Hoover

Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif.

MOFFETT FIELD, Calif. -- News media are invited to observe a live televised broadcast as space shuttle Atlantis makes its final ascent to the International Space Station at 8:26 a.m. PDT Friday, July 8, in the Exploration Center at NASA's Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif. The STS-135 mission is the final flight of NASA's Space Shuttle Program.

In addition to seeing the broadcast, attendees will have an opportunity to participate in hands-on activities and hear from Ames Center Director S. Pete Worden; Jack Boyd, senior advisor to the Ames Center Director and Ames History Office, who will discuss Ames’ role in the development and operation of the space shuttle; and Ken Souza, senior scientist with the Space Biology Project at Ames, who will describe various Ames-supported life science experiments aboard space shuttle Atlantis.

Atlantis will carry a system to investigate the potential for robotically refueling existing spacecraft and bring back a failed ammonia pump to help NASA better understand and improve pump designs for future systems. It also will deliver spare parts to sustain space station operations after the shuttles retire from service.

Reporters must send requests for media credentials to Rachel Hoover at rachel.hoover@nasa.gov by 5 p.m. PDT Thursday, July 7. Worden, Boyd, Souza and other NASA officials are available for interviews immediately following the launch until 10 a.m.

WHEN:

Friday, July 8, 2011 (all times PDT)

- 7 a.m.: Exploration Center opens

- 7:30 a.m.: Presentations

- 8:15: The Immersive Theater broadcasts NASA TV pre-launch coverage

- 8:26 a.m.: Launch

- 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Hands-on activities

WHERE:

NASA's Exploration Center is the large white dome located at the main gate of NASA's Ames Research Center. To reach NASA Ames, take U.S. Highway 101 to the Moffett Field, NASA Parkway exit and drive east on Moffett Boulevard towards the main gate and bear right into the parking lot.

A NASA blog will update the countdown beginning at 3:30 a.m. PDT on July 8. Originating from Kennedy's Launch Control Center, the blog is the definitive Internet source for information leading up to launch. During the mission, visitors to NASA's shuttle website may read about the crew's progress. As Atlantis’ flight concludes, the NASA blog will detail the spacecraft's return to Earth.

For NASA's launch blog and continuous mission updates, visit http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle.

For other blog coverage, visit http://bit.ly/oSQelZ.

To watch Atlantis’ launch online, tune in to NASA Television, at http://www.nasa.gov/ntv.

For more information about the Exploration Center's special shuttle programming, visit http://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/events/index.html.

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