NASA’s Genesis spacecraft, planned for launch next month, will be
featured in a news media opportunity on Wednesday, June 13, at 9:30 a.m.

Genesis will capture a piece of the Sun — a sample of the ions and elements
in the solar wind — and bring the samples back to Earth so that scientists
can study the exact composition of the Sun and probe the solar system’s
origin. By studying the solar wind, scientists will find clues to the
formation of the solar system as we know it today.

In 2004, Genesis’ samples will return to Earth in a spectacular helicopter
capture. As the sample return capsule parachutes to the ground in Utah’s Air
Force Test and Training Range, specially trained helicopter pilots will
catch it. The samples will then be analyzed to provide a “Rosetta Stone” of
solar material for comparing the Sun’s original ingredients to those of the
planets and other solar system bodies.

During the press opportunity, media will be taken to KSC’s Payload
Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) to view the Genesis spacecraft with
fully deployed solar arrays. Before entering the high bay, Chet Sasaki,
Genesis Project Manager from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Richard
Bennett, Missions Systems Engineer from Lockheed Martin will give a short
presentation on the role of the spacecraft. Genesis spokespersons will then
be available inside the PHSF high bay for questions and interviews about the
spacecraft and its mission.

Before entering the high bay clean room area, media must submit to a routine
security search of camera and utility bags. Due to clean room requirements,
media planning to attend are requested to wear long pants and closed-toe
shoes. No shorts, tank tops or sandals can be permitted. Media will don
clean room attire (bunny suits) that will be provided. No suede, leather or
vinyl attire or accessories are permitted. Participants are asked not to
wear makeup or lotions.

Quality control personnel will request photographers to clean camera
equipment with alcohol wipes and place accessories in special plastic bags
which will be provided. No food, chewing gum, tobacco, lighters, matches,
pocket knives or pencils will be permitted inside the clean room.

Electronic flash photography and wireless microphones are permitted. The
lighting in the facility is high-pressure sodium (orange).

Media representatives needing accreditation should contact the NASA-KSC News
Center at 321/867-2468 by the close of business Tuesday, June 12. Media
will depart the KSC News Center at 9:30 a.m. for the PHSF. Media will be
returned to the NASA-KSC News Center by 11:30 a.m.

Genesis is scheduled for launch on Monday, July 30 at 12:36 p.m. EDT.
Liftoff will occur aboard a Boeing Delta II rocket from Pad A at Launch
Complex 17 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.