NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) invite news media to attend events surrounding the launch of the NOAA-N polar orbiting weather satellite. The satellite will be launched on a Boeing Delta II rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB), Calif., at 6:22 a.m. EDT, May 11.
PRELAUNCH NEWS CONFERENCE: Monday, 4 p.m. EDT, May 9
Media should meet at the VAFB south gate on California State Road 246 NLT 3:30 p.m. EDT, May 9 for escort to the NASA Vandenberg Resident Office.
News Conference Participants:
– Mike Mignogno, program manager, Polar Operational Environmental Satellites, NOAA
– Omar Baez, NASA launch director, Kennedy Space Center (KSC)
– Kris Walsh, Boeing director of NASA Programs, Boeing Expendable Launch Systems
– Karen Halterman, NOAA-N Spacecraft project manager, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC)
– Captain Paul Lucyk, launch weather officer, 30th Weather Squadron, VAFB
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: Tuesday, 8 p.m. EDT, May 10
Media will depart by Air Force van from the VAFB main gate on California SR 1 at 8 p.m. EDT. Press credentials, identification from a bona fide news organization, and personal photo-ID are required for base access.
For information about media accreditation, contact the VAFB public affairs office at: 805/606-3595. Media must fax accreditation requests on news organization letterhead to: Lt. Lucas Ritter, 30th Space Wing Public Affairs Office, FAX: 805/606-8303.
NASA TV will carry the prelaunch news conference starting at 4 p.m. EDT, May 9. Only media present at VAFB will be able to ask questions. On launch day, NASA TV coverage begins at 4 a.m. EDT and concludes after spacecraft separation from the Delta II, approximately 65 minutes after launch.
NASA TV is available on the Web and via satellite in the continental U.S. on AMC-6, Transponder 9C, C-Band, at 72 degrees west longitude. The frequency is 3880.0 MHz. Polarization is vertical, and audio is monaural at 6.80 MHz. It’s available in Alaska and Hawaii on AMC-7, Transponder 18C, C-Band, at 137 degrees west longitude; frequency, 4060.0 MHz. Polarization is vertical, and audio is monaural at 6.80 MHz. For NASA TV information and schedules on the Internet, visit:
NASA centers’ points of contact: KSC: George Diller, 321/867-2468; GSFC: Cynthia O’Carroll, 301/286-4647.
For information about NASA and agency programs on the Web, visit:
