NASA scientists, engineers and former astronauts as well as cast members from the movie “The Martian” will participate in a panel session Thursday, Oct. 1, focusing on the agency’s Journey to Mars at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The event will air live on NASA Television beginning at 11:30 a.m. EDT.

The “So You Want to be a Martian” event will include an interactive element with a question and answer session with students throughout the country via NASA’s Digital Learning Network. Local area students also will be in the audience.

At the conclusion of the panel session, media will have the opportunity to conduct interviews with various panel members.

Panelists available for interviews include:

Jim Green, director, Planetary Science, NASA Headquarters
Bob Cabana, director, NASA Kennedy Space Center
Nicole Stott, retired NASA astronaut
Mackenzie Davis, actor, “The Martian”
Chiwetel Ejiofor, actor, “The Martian”
A photo opportunity at Launch Pad 39B, the site from which NASA will begin our human Journey to Mars, will take place following the interview session. Media attending the photo opportunity must be dressed in full-length pants, flat shoes that cover the entire foot, and shirts with sleeves.

International media accreditation for this event is closed. U.S. media without permanent credentials must apply for accreditation by noon Sept. 30. Two forms of government-issued identification are required to receive a badge. One must be with a photograph such as a driver’s license or passport. Badges will be available for pickup at the Kennedy Badging Office, located on State Road 405 east of the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Hours for the Kennedy Badging Office are 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Questions concerning accreditation may be addressed to Jennifer Horner at 321-867-6598 or jennifer.p.horner@nasa.gov.

Media must apply for credentials online at:

https://media.ksc.nasa.gov

Media should arrive at Kennedy’s Press Site by 10:30 a.m. for transportation to the event. Media who are not planning to attend the photo opportunity will return to the Press Site at 1:45 p.m.; those attending the photo opportunity will return at 2:30 p.m.

For more information on NASA’s Journey to Mars, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/nasas-journey-to-mars

http://www.nasa.gov/realmartian