The arrival of the Virgin Atlantic Airways GlobalFlyer aircraft at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Fla., is set for Jan. 12 at 4 p.m.
The aircraft, piloted by Steve Fossett, is being relocated from Salina, Kan., to Kennedy’s Space Shuttle Landing Facility to begin preparations for an attempt to set a new world record for the longest flight made by any aircraft. An exact takeoff date for the record-setting flight has not been determined and is contingent on weather and jet-stream conditions. The window for the attempt opens in mid-January, making the flight possible anytime between then and the end of February.
NASA agreed to let Virgin Atlantic Airways use Kennedy’s Space Shuttle Landing Facility as a takeoff site. The facility use is part of a pilot program to expand runway access for non-NASA activities.
Media planning to attend GlobalFlyer’s KSC arrival should be at the Press Site by 2 p.m. for transportation to the landing facility in the event of an earlier arrival time. Everyone attending must be dressed in long pants and flat, closed shoes.
Permanently badged media must contact Kennedy’s Press Site at (321) 867-2468 no later than 3 p.m. EST, Jan. 11. Media without Kennedy credentials should submit requests via the accreditation Web site at https://media.ksc.nasa.gov.
For information about the GlobalFlyer, contact the Virgin Atlantic US Press Office at (203) 750-2570 or visit:
http://www.virginatlanticglobalflyer.com
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