MOFFETT FIELD, Calif. – News media are invited to join students who recently arrived at NASA’s Ames Research Center for the 2009 International Space University Space Studies Program as they interact with NASA’s Expedition 20 astronauts aboard the International Space Station. The live educational downlink event will be held from 10:10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. PDT on Tuesday, June 30, 2009, at Building 3 in NASA Research Park.

The downlink will connect hundreds of ISU students and teachers with space station crew members. The goal is to learn more about Canada’s first long-duration astronaut, Bob Thirsk, the payload design process, and a student experiment which is currently onboard the station. Reporters interested in attending the event should contact Rachel Prucey at 650-604-0643 or by e-mail at rachel.l.prucey@nasa.gov.

The International Space University was founded in 1987 with the vision of a peaceful and prosperous future through the study, exploration and development of space for the benefit of humanity. The space studies program is a nine-week course for postgraduate students and young professionals from all over the world. The curriculum covers technical and non-technical, space-related fields and ranges from engineering and satellite applications to policy and the humanities. An international cadre of distinguished professors will teach the classes, which will be held June 29, 2009 to Aug. 28, 2009.

Through this and other college and university programs, NASA will identify and develop the critical skills and capabilities needed to strengthen the future workforce of NASA and the nation and to explore Earth, the moon and beyond.

The downlink event is one in a series of educational events in the U.S. and abroad, and is an integral component of NASA’s Teaching from Space Office. Using the unique environment of human spaceflight, Teaching from Space promotes learning opportunities and builds partnerships with the education community.

WHAT: An opportunity to document emerging leaders in space interacting with astronauts onboard the International Space Station.

WHEN: 10:10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. PDT on June 30, 2009.

WHERE: Building 3 located in the NASA Research Park at NASA’s Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif. 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. Guards at the main gate will direct reporters to NASA Research Park, behind the gate.

The downlink will air live on NASA Television and be streamed on the NASA Web site at: http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

For information about NASA’s education programs on the Web, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/education

For more information about the International Space University, visit: http://www.isunet.edu