Launch of GOES-L weather satellite scheduled for May 3

David Steitz

NASA Headquarters

202/358-1730

George Diller

Kennedy Space Center

321/867-2468

Cynthia O’Carroll

Goddard Space Flight Center

301/614-5563

Pat Viets

NOAA

301/457-5005

KSC Release No: 43-00

The launch of the GOES-L weather satellite for NASA and the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) aboard a Lockheed Martin Atlas
IIA rocket (AC-137) is scheduled for Wednesday, May 3. Liftoff is targeted
to occur at the opening of a launch window that extends from 2:27 – 5:53
a.m. EDT, a duration of three hours and 27 minutes. Launch will occur from
Pad A at Complex 36 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

GOES-L is the fourth spacecraft to be launched in the new advanced
series of geostationary weather satellites for NOAA. The spacecraft is a
three-axis internally stabilized weather satellite that has the dual
capability of providing pictures while performing atmospheric sounding at
the same time. Once in orbit the spacecraft will be designated GOES-11 and
will complete check-out in time for availability during the 2000 hurricane
season.

NASA/NOAA Pre-launch Press Conference

The pre-launch press conference will be held at the NASA-KSC News
Center on Monday, May 1 at 11:30 a.m. EDT. Participating in the briefing
will be:

Gerry Dittberner, GOES Program Manager, NOAA

Chuck Dovale, NASA Launch Director, Kennedy Space Center

Adrian Laffitte, Director, Atlas Launch Operations, Lockheed Martin

Martin Davis, GOES Project Manager, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

William Proenza, Director, NOAA National Weather Service, NOAA Southern
Region

James Sardonia, Launch Weather Officer, 45th Weather Squadron, USAF

No post-launch news conference is planned.

Press Coverage

There will be a tower-rollback photo opportunity for
accredited news media. Press representative should be at the Gate 1 Pass
and Identification Building on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station located on
State Road 401 at 10:45 p.m., May 2. Departure for Launch Complex 36 will
be promptly at 11 p.m.

Media covering launch only should assemble at the Gate 1 Pass and
Identification Building at 1 a.m., May 3. The convoy to Press Site 1 will
depart at 1:15 a.m.

Media who wish to cover the pre-launch press conference and the
launch of GOES-L should send a letter of request on news organization
letterhead. Include the full names, Social Security numbers and birth dates
of those desiring accreditation. Letters should be faxed to 321/867-2692 or
may be addressed to:

GOES-L Launch Accreditation

NASA AB-F1

Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899

GOES-L/AC-137 mission badges may be picked up at the NASA-KSC News
Center beginning on Monday, May 1. Badges may also be obtained on launch
day at the Gate 1 Pass and Identification Building starting at 1 a.m. with
prior approval. STS 101 mission badges will not be honored.

Remote Camera Placement

On Tuesday, May 2 at 9 a.m., a van will depart from the NASA-KSC
News Center for Complex 36 for media photographers to establish remote
cameras at the pad. There will be no access or transportation from Gate 1
for remote camera set-ups.

NASA-KSC News Center Overnight Hours for Launch

The NASA-KSC News Center will open on launch day at 1 a.m. and
remain open until a successful launch and spacecraft solar array deployment
can be confirmed at approximately L+90 minutes.

NASA Television Coverage

NASA Television will carry live the GOES-L/AC-137 pre-launch press
conference on Monday, May 1 at 11:30 a.m. A two-way question and answer
capability will be available from other NASA field centers.

A complete GOES-L video package will be broadcast during the NASA TV
video file scheduled for noon, 3 p.m., 6 p.m., 9 p.m. and midnight on May 1,
May 2 and May 3.

On launch day, May 3, launch commentary will begin at 1 a.m. EDT and
continue through spacecraft separation at L+27 minutes.

The pre-launch press conference and launch coverage will be carried
on the NASA “V” audio circuits which may be accessed by dialing
321/867-1220, 1240, 1260, 7135, 4003, and 4920.

NASA Television is available on the GE-2 satellite, transponder 9C,
located at 85 degrees West.

Status Reports

Recorded status reports on the launch of GOES-L/AC-137 will be
available on the KSC news media codaphone starting on Monday, May 1. The
telephone number is 321/867-2525.

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