BAY ST. LOUIS, Miss. — Members of the news media are invited to visit NASA’s John C. Stennis Space Center on Monday, Feb. 7, to view a flight acceptance test of Aerojet’s AJ26 rocket engine for the Orbital Sciences Corp.’s Taurus II space launch vehicle.
NASA Administrator Charles Bolden and executives from Orbital and Aerojet will be at Stennis to witness the test, which is targeted for 4 p.m. CST. Following the test, reporters will have an opportunity to ask questions of Bolden and the Orbital and Aerojet executives.
When flight acceptance testing on the AJ26 engine is complete, it will be delivered to Orbital at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility launch site in Virginia for integration with the rocket’s first stage. NASA has contracted with Orbital to provide eight cargo missions to the International Space Station. The first is scheduled for early 2012. NASA is investing with private industry to develop safe, reliable, cost-effective space transportation capabilities that will spur the development of new spacecraft and launch vehicles that will stimulate the commercial sector and reduce dependence on foreign providers.
To attend the event, news media must contact Paul Foerman at 228-688-1880 or paul.foerman-1@nasa.gov by 9 a.m. on Feb. 7. Reporters must arrive no later than 3 p.m. on Feb. 7 to allow time for clearance and escort to the test site. For information about Stennis Space Center, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/stennis
For information about NASA and agency programs, visit:http://www.nasa.gov
