In less than 30 days, STS-97 is targeted
for launch for Space Shuttle Endeavour to deliver the first installment of the
largest space power system ever built to the International Space Station.
The
men and women at Glenn Research Center, who pioneered and continue to develop
technologies essential to the space station’s electrical power system, are
eager to share their excitement about this important step towards powering the
future.

“This is an exciting time for those of us whose work over the last two
decades is about to become reality,” said John Dunning, manager of Space
Station Support, Power and Propulsion Office.
Glenn has led or been involved
with the design, development, building and/or testing of many of the pieces of
hardware that make up the electrical power system that will be used on
station.

Over the next five weeks, the media is invited to participate in several
events planned to provide opportunities to hear about the electrical power
system and Glenn’s role in its development and to see examples of hardware
designed and developed at Glenn.

    * A preflight briefing on NASA Television on Monday, November 13, at
        11 a.m.
      Originating from Johnson Space Center, it will feature an overview of
      the photovoltaic module and solar arrays-parts of the electrical power
      system to be installed on station.  It will be carried live on NASA TV
      and include question-and-answer capability.  Media is
      invited to view and participate in the briefing at Glenn.

    * A media briefing at Glenn on Monday, November 27, at 1:30 p.m.
      Glenn managers from the Power and Propulsion Office will discuss the
      Center's role in the development of the electrical power system.

    * The scheduled launch of STS-97 on Thursday, November 30, at 10:05 p.m.
      Media is invited to watch the launch with members of the Power and
      Propulsion Office staff to share their excitement.

    * A two-day event, "Powering the Future," on Saturday, December 2, 10 a.m.
        to 5 p.m. and Sunday, December 3, 1 to 5 p.m.
      The event will take place at Glenn's Visitor Center to celebrate Glenn's
      contributions to the space station.  It will feature live coverage of
      the STS-97 mission via NASA TV, hands-on activities, a display of some
      of the hardware that makes up the electrical power system that will be
      used on the space station, informational talks and more.

More information on the Space Shuttle or the International Space Station,
can be found at http://spaceflight.nasa.gov

Further information on the Glenn Power and Propulsion Office is available
at http://space-power.grc.nasa.gov