Media are invited to a photo and interview opportunity Tuesday, March 1, at 10:45 a.m. EST at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, to view the facilities that will support NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) solid rocket booster processing operations. SLS is the agency’s heavy-lift rocket that will launch astronauts in the Orion spacecraft, paving the way for future flights to deep space, including on a journey to Mars.

The SLS booster is the largest, most powerful solid propellant booster ever built. Standing 17 stories tall and burning approximately six tons of propellant every second, each booster generates more thrust than 11 four-engine jumbo commercial airliners. Together, the SLS twin boosters provide more than 75 percent of the total SLS thrust at launch.

Journalists will have an opportunity to tour and photograph the Booster Fabrication Facility, the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility, and to interview NASA officials.

International media accreditation for this event is closed. U.S. media without permanent credentials must apply for accreditation by 4 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 29. Two forms of government-issued identification are required to receive a badge. One must be with a photograph, such as a driver’s license or passport.

Badges will be available at the Kennedy Badging Office, located on State Road 405 east of the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Hours for the Kennedy Badging Office are 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Questions about accreditation may be addressed to Jennifer Horner at 321-867-6598 or jennifer.p.horner@nasa.gov.

Media must apply for credentials online at:

https://media.ksc.nasa.gov

Media should arrive at the press site by 10:30 a.m. to be escorted to the facilities. Following the event, the media will be escorted back to the Press Site by 1:30 p.m.

All participants attending the event must be dressed in full-length pants, flat shoes that cover the feet entirely, and shirts with sleeves.

For more information about NASA’s Ground Systems Development and Operations Program, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/groundsystems

For more information about NASA’s Space Launch System Program, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/sls