WHAT: TRW, the systems engineering and technical assistance contractor for the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, will oversee the first launch of the millennium at Spaceport Systems International's Commercial Spaceport this week. The Spaceport's maiden launch also marks the first time a refurbished Minuteman II intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) will be used to place a payload into space. The U.S. Air Force launch is currently scheduled for Friday, Jan. 14, at 7 p.m. PST. TRW is responsible for technical oversight on this Air Force program designed to provide a low-cost, reliable space launch capability for the government by using surplus Minuteman II components. Satellites built by students from the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.; Weber State University, Ogden, Utah; Arizona State University, Tempe, Ariz.; and Stanford University, Stanford, Calif., will be among the payloads riding aboard the modified ICBM on the JAWSAT (Joint Air Force Academy - Weber State University Satellite) mission. The entire event will be carried live via Webcast by TRW, starting at 2 p.m. PST on Jan. 14 (www.webcastingtv.com/jawsat). Registration prior to the event is required to obtain a password. Live satellite feed info: Jan. 14, 2 to 8 p.m. PST (5 to 11 p.m. EST); Telstar 6C/11; uplink frequency: 6145; downlink frequency: 3920/vertical; arc position: 93 degrees west. WHO: U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center El Segundo, Calif. WHEN: Friday, Jan. 14 Scheduled launch time: approximately 7 p.m. PST For updated launch information, see www.webcastingtv.com/jawsat WHERE: Spaceport Systems International's Commercial Spaceport Vandenberg Air Force Base 805/606-3595 CONTACT: TRW Inc., Redondo Beach, Calif. Linda Javier, 310/812-4105 (310/386-1644 on launch day) -- See below list for launch participants' points of contact -- Public Affairs Points of Contact for JAWSAT Launch Air Force: Space & Missile Systems Center Public Affairs Lt. Colleen Lehne, Media Relations, SMC Public Affairs Work: 310/363-6827 Fax: 310/363-2549 DSN: 833-6827 colleen.lehne@losangeles.af.mil Vandenberg AFB Public Affairs Lt. Tom Knowles KnowlesT@vafb.af.mil Mr. Jack Hokanson HokansonJ@vafb.af.mil 805/606-3595 Fax: 805/606-8303 DSN: 276-3595 TRW Systems & Information Technology Group Linda Javier, Public Relations Manager Work: 310/812-4105 Fax: 310/812-1923 Linda.javier@trw.com Orbital Sciences Corp. Barry Beneski, Public Relations Work: 703/406-5528 Beneski.barron@orbital.com Spaceport Systems International Dian Smith, Public Relations 805/733-7370 dian.smith@calspace.com Marshall Space Flight Center (NASA) Steve Roy, Public Affairs 256/544-6535 steve.roy@msfc.nasa.gov Arizona State University Gary Campbell, Public Affairs 480/965-7209 garycamp@asu.edu Stanford University James Cutler 650/497-1482 jwc@stanford.edu One Stop Satellite Solutions Lewis Boynton 801/825-4722 lboynton@xmission.com Weber State University Jason Wanlass 801/626-6347 jwanlass@weber.edu USAFA Neil Talbott, Public Affairs 719/333-7639 neil.talbott@usafa.af.mil
CONTACT: TRW Inc., Redondo Beach, Calif.
Linda Javier, 310/812-4105