Astronaut Steve Bowen, who was born in Cohasset, Mass., will make his first journey into orbit on space shuttle Endeavour’s mission to the International Space Station. Endeavour is targeted to launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Nov. 14, at 7:55 p.m. EST.

To cover the launch at Kennedy, U.S. reporters must request credentials by Nov. 3, and foreign reporters must do so by Oct. 20. Media should submit requests online at:

https://media.ksc.nasa.gov/

To request an interview with Mission Specialist Bowen, news media should contact the Johnson Space Center newsroom in Houston at 281-483-5111 by Nov. 3.

Bowen will conduct three spacewalks during the shuttle flight, designated STS-126. The shuttle will deliver equipment and supplies necessary to double the station crew size from three to six in May 2009. During the 15-day flight, astronauts will service the station’s two Solar Alpha Rotary Joints. The starboard joint has been in limited use since September 2007.

Bowen graduated from Cohasset High School and received his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., in 1986, and a degree in ocean engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1993.

For Bowen’s complete biography, visit:

http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/bowen-sg.html

For the latest information about the STS-126 mission and crew, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle