Media representatives from countries on the U.S. Department of State list of “designated countries” who would like to cover activities for the Aug. 5, 2012, landing of NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory spacecraft must apply online no later than June 28 for access to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif. Foreign national media representatives who are not from designated countries must apply by July 23.

More information, including a list of designated countries, is on the Mars Science Laboratory media credential website: http://media-credentials.jpl.nasa.gov

Mars Science Laboratory is carrying the Curiosity rover, the most advanced rover ever sent to Mars. The mission will land near the Martian equator at approximately 10:31 p.m. Aug. 5 PDT (1:31 a.m. Aug. 6 EDT).

The landing and news conferences will be carried live on NASA TV and the agency’s website. Further details and updates will be announced as they become available.

Credentialed reporters will be at the designated media site when the first signal of the rover’s landing is detected by JPL mission control. Credentialed reporters will also have access to interviews, photo and b-roll opportunities, and pre- and post-landing news conferences. To be accredited, media must work for legitimate, verifiable news-gathering organizations. Journalists should confirm they have been accredited before making travel arrangements.

The JPL Curiosity newsroom will open beginning at 9 a.m. PDT on Wednesday, Aug. 1.

The Curiosity rover will assess whether Mars was or is today an environment favorable for microbial life. The mission is managed by JPL for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate in Washington. The mission is managed by JPL for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate in Washington.

Specific questions about the credentialing process may be submitted to media-credentials@list.jpl.nasa.gov

More information about the mission: http://www.nasa.gov/msl

The public can follow the mission on Facebook and Twitter: http://www.facebook.com/marscuriosity http://www.twitter.com/marscuriosity

More information about NASA TV, streaming video and downlink information: http://www.nasa.gov/ntv