Shuttle Endeavour Ferry Flight Rescheduled to Sept. 19

Rachel Kraft

Headquarters, Washington                   

202-358-1100

rachel.h.kraft@nasa.gov

 

Michael Curie

Kennedy Space Center, Fla.

321-867-2468

michael.curie@nasa.gov

 

Laura J. Brown

Federal Aviation Administration

202-267-3455

laura.j.brown@faa.gov

WASHINGTON -- NASA's ferry flight of space shuttle Endeavour atop the 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) is rescheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 19 due to an unfavorable weather forecast along the flight path on Tuesday, Sept. 18. Endeavour now is expected to arrive at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Friday, Sept. 21.

On Oct. 11, 2011, NASA transferred title and ownership of Endeavour to the California Science Center in Los Angeles. The decision to reschedule the flight was made Monday in coordination with the science center to ensure a safe flight for Endeavour and the SCA. Weather predictions are favorable Wednesday for the flight path between Houston and NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, where the flight will originate.

In cooperation with the Federal Aviation Administration, the SCA is scheduled to conduct low-level flyovers at about 1,500 feet above locations along the planned flight path. The exact timing and path of the ferry flight will depend on weather conditions and operational constraints. Some planned flyovers or stopovers could be delayed or cancelled. If the ferry flight is postponed again, an additional advisory will be issued.

At sunrise on Sept. 19, the SCA and Endeavour will depart Kennedy's Shuttle Landing Facility and perform a flyover of various areas of the Space Coast, including Kennedy, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and Patrick Air Force Base.

The aircraft will fly west and conduct low flyovers of NASA's Stennis Space Center in Mississippi and the agency's Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. As it arrives over the Texas Gulf Coast area, the SCA will perform low flyovers above various areas of Houston and Clear Lake before landing at Ellington Field near NASA's Johnson Space Center.

At sunrise on Thursday, Sept. 20, the aircraft will depart Houston, make a refueling stop at Biggs Army Airfield in El Paso, Texas, and conduct low-level flyovers of White Sands Test Facility near Las Cruces, N.M., and NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base in California, before landing around mid-day at Dryden.

Options for the NASA Social at Dryden are being evaluated. Attendees for the event will be notified by the NASA social media team once plans are decided.

On the morning of Sept. 21, the SCA and Endeavour will take off from Dryden and perform a low-level flyover of northern California, passing near NASA's Ames Research Center at Moffett Field, Calif., and various landmarks in multiple cities, including Sacramento and San Francisco. The aircraft also will conduct a flyover of many Los Angeles sites before landing about 11 a.m. PDT at LAX.

Social media users are encouraged to share their Endeavour sightings using the hashtags #spottheshuttle and #OV105, Endeavour's orbiter vehicle designation.

After arrival at LAX, Endeavour will be removed from the SCA and spend a few weeks at a United Airlines hangar undergoing preparations for transport and display. Endeavour then will travel through Inglewood and Los Angeles city streets on a 12-mile journey from the airport to the science center, arriving in the evening on Oct. 13.

Beginning Oct. 30, the shuttle will be on display in the science center's Samuel Oschin Space Shuttle Endeavour Display Pavilion, embarking on its new mission to commemorate past achievements in space and educate and inspire future generations of explorers.

Endeavour completed 25 missions, spent 299 days in orbit, and orbited Earth 4,671 times while traveling 122,883,151 miles.

For information about NASA's transfer of space shuttles to museums, visit http://www.nasa.gov/transition.

For more about NASA missions and programs, visit http://www.nasa.gov.

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NASA Aircraft To Fly Over Los Angeles Area August 25

Michael Curie

Kennedy Space Center, Fla.

321-867-2468

michael.curie@nasa.gov

 

Laura Brown

Federal Aviation Administration, Washington

202-267-3455

laura.j.brown@faa.gov

WASHINGTON -- NASA, in cooperation with the Federal Aviation Administration, will conduct training and photographic flights over the Los Angeles area on Saturday, Aug. 25.

Two NASA jets, a T-38 and an F-18, will fly approximately 1,500 feet above Los Angeles starting at 8 a.m. PDT. If delayed by weather or other circumstances, the jets will fly at 12:30 p.m. These flights are intended to capture photographic imagery.

If the flights must be cancelled for any reason, they will be rescheduled and an additional notice will be released.

For information about NASA and agency programs, visit http://www.nasa.gov.

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NASA, FAA Advance National Goals in Commercial Human Space Transportation with Landmark Agreement

Joshua Buck

Headquarters, Washington 

202-358-1100

jbuck@nasa.gov

 

Henry J. Price

Federal Aviation Administration, Washington

202-267-3883

hank.price@faa.gov

WASHINGTON -- The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and NASA have signed a historic agreement to coordinate standards for commercial space travel of government and non-government astronauts to and from low-Earth orbit and the International Space Station (ISS). The two agencies will collaborate to expand efforts that provide a stable framework for the U.S. space industry, avoid conflicting requirements and multiple sets of standards, and advance both public and crew safety.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by the two agencies establishes policy for operational missions to the space station. Commercial providers will be required to obtain a license from the FAA for public safety. Crew safety and mission assurance will be NASA's responsibility. This approach allows both agencies to incorporate experience and lessons learned as progress is made.

"This important agreement between the FAA and NASA will advance our shared goals in commercial space travel," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "Working together, we will assure clear, consistent standards for the industry."

"This agreement is the next step in bringing the business of launching Americans back to American soil," Charles Bolden, NASA administrator said. "We are fostering private sector innovation while maintaining high standards of safety and reliability to re-establish U.S.-crewed access to low-Earth orbit, in-sourcing work to American companies and encouraging the development of dynamic and cost-effective spaceflight capabilities built to last."

"The Obama administration recognizes the scientific, technological and economic benefits of maintaining the United States' leadership in space travel and exploration," said FAA Acting Administrator Michael Huerta. "This agreement between the FAA and NASA continues and advances those vital national interests."

NASA's Commercial Crew Program aims to facilitate development of a U.S. commercial crew space transportation capability with the goal of achieving safe, reliable and cost-effective access to and from low-Earth orbit and the International Space Station. The policy established in the MOU clarifies for potential commercial providers the regulatory environment for operational missions to the orbiting laboratory. It also ensures that the two agencies will have compatible processes for ensuring public safety.

The FAA is responsible for regulating and licensing all U.S. private companies and individuals involved in commercial space transportation. To date, the FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation has licensed 207 successful launches, including two non-orbital commercial human space flights in 2004 and the recent first launch to the ISS and re-entry of a non-manned commercial spacecraft. For details on FAA commercial space transportation responsibilities, visit http://www.faa.gov/news/fact_sheets/news_story.cfm?newsId=12179.

In addition, the agreement addresses proper protocols for implementation, financial obligations, liability, free exchange of data and information, and other administrative obligations between the FAA and NASA. To view the agreement, click on http://go.nasa.gov/Lru8iQ.

For more information on NASA's Commercial Crew Program, visit http://www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew.

For more information on the FAA's Office of Commercial Space Transportation, visit http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ast. 

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NASA And FAA To Discuss Commercial Human Space Transportation National Goals

Joshua Buck

Headquarters, Washington          

202-358-1100

jbuck@nasa.gov

 

Hank Price

Federal Aviation Administration

202-267-3883

hank.price@faa.gov

 

WASHINGTON -- NASA Administrator Charles Bolden and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) acting Administrator Michael Huerta will participate in a media teleconference at 11 a.m. EDT Monday, June 18, to discuss advancements in commercial spaceflight.

Reporters interested in participating in the teleconference should contact Joshua Buck at NASA at 202-358-1100 or jbuck@nasa.gov, or Hank Price at FAA at 202-267-3883 or hank.price@faa.gov by 10 a.m. Monday.

Audio of the teleconference will be streamed live on NASA's website at http://www.nasa.gov/newsaudio.

For more information about NASA programs, visit http://www.nasa.gov.

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Shuttle Enterprise Flight over New York City Metro Area Moved to April 27

Michael Curie

Headquarters, Washington                                   

202-358-1100

michael.curie@nasa.gov

 

Laura J. Brown

Federal Aviation Administration

202-267-3455

laura.j.brown@faa.gov

WASHINGTON -- NASA managers, in coordination with Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum officials, tentatively are targeting Friday, April 27, for the ferry of space shuttle Enterprise from Washington Dulles International Airport to John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport in New York.

Managers shifted the flight from Wednesday to Friday because of a large region of low pressure dominating the East Coast. The weather is predicted to be more favorable Friday.

NASA's 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) with Enterprise mounted atop will fly at a relatively low altitude over various parts of the New York City metropolitan area on Friday. The aircraft is expected to fly near a variety of landmarks, including the Statue of Liberty and Intrepid. After the flyover is complete, the SCA will land at JFK.

The Federal Aviation Administration is coordinating the flight, which is scheduled to occur between 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. EDT, weather permitting. The exact route and timing depend on weather and operational constraints.

Enterprise was mated to the SCA Saturday morning and covers were fitted over the shuttle's vent doors to prevent rain intrusion while the vehicle awaits its transfer from Dulles. The covers will be removed before flight.

Media will have access to the public areas at Dulles to view the departure of Enterprise. Media sending crews to Dulles should contact the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Office of Public Affairs at 703-417-8370.

During the weeks following the arrival, Enterprise will be demated from the 747 and placed on a barge that will move by tugboat up the Hudson River to Intrepid in June. The shuttle will be lifted by crane and placed on the flight deck of the Intrepid, where it will be on exhibit to the public starting this summer in a temporary climate-controlled pavilion. The Intrepid continues to work on a permanent exhibit facility to showcase Enterprise that will enhance the museum's space-related exhibits and education curriculum.

If the flight is postponed for any reason, an additional notice will be released.

For more information about NASA's transfer of space shuttles to museums, visit http://www.nasa.gov/transition.

For information about NASA and agency programs, visit http://www.nasa.gov.

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