Saint-Hubert, Quebec, May 29, 2002 – A year ago Canadarm2 was the star of
the show when Canadian Astronaut Chris Hadfield and his crewmates installed
it on the International Space Station (ISS). Now the innovative robot arm’s
supporting cast is ready for launch.

Canadian Space Agency Astronaut Julie Payette will provide commentary at the
Agency’s headquarters during the launch of the Mobile Base System on Space
Shuttle Endeavour, scheduled to lift off on May 30. The Mobile Base System
is a Canadian-built work platform that will be used to transport Canadarm2,
as well as essential Space Station structures and space experiments, along
rails that run the length of the Station.

The 1450-kilogram aluminum base is part of Canada’s contribution to the ISS
program and, like Canadarm2, will play an essential role in building and
maintaining the Station. It will give the Station’s robot arm much greater
freedom of range and enhance its ability to carry out construction and
repair tasks.

During this mission astronauts will also replace a malfunctioning joint on
Canadarm2.

SUMMARY

Date:May 30, 2002

Time: Launch time: between 4 and 8 p.m. (specific time to be communicated by
NASA 24 hours before launch)

Canadian Space Agency Astronaut Julie Payette will provide commentary during
the launch to employees and their families. Julie Payette and mission
spokespeople will be available for interviews before and following the
launch.

Location:
Canadian Space Agency
6767 route de l’Aéroport
Saint-Hubert, Quebec

A media book on the mission, along with a Betacam video (B-Roll), will also
be available. The media book, as well as various images and animation, are
available on our Website.

For live coverage of the launch, media can log on to the NASA TV satellite
on GE-2, Transponder 9C at 85 degrees West longitude, vertical polarization,
with a frequency of 3880 MHz and audio of 6.8 MHz or via the Internet at
www.nasa.gov/ntv/.

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For more information, contact:
Monique Billette
Senior Media Relations Officer, Canadian Space Agency
Tel.: (450) 926- 4370
monique.billette@space.gc.ca
Mission STS-111 Website: www.space.gc.ca/sts111