With the launch of the next space shuttle mission, designated STS-121, now targeted for July, NASA is adjusting the deadlines for media accreditation to cover the flight. The possible launch window for Space Shuttle Discovery’s liftoff from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Fla., is July 1 to 19.
All U.S. and international media must apply for credentials. For accreditation, media must work for legitimate, verifiable news-gathering organizations. Media may need to submit accreditation requests at multiple NASA facilities.
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER
Media applying for credentials at Kennedy may submit requests via the Web at:
All media must apply by June 1. Accredited media will have access to a launch dress rehearsal, known as the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test, on June 15 and to Discovery’s entire mission. Media must use work, not personal, e-mail addresses when applying. Processing takes approximately three weeks. Once accreditation is approved, media will receive confirmation via e-mail. Badges will be available for pick up prior to the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test.
Media with special logistic requests, such as space for trailers, electrical connections or work stations in the newsroom, must contact Laurel Lichtenberger at: laurel.a.lichtenberger@nasa.gov by June 1.
Work stations are provided on a first-come basis. To set up temporary telephone, fax, ISDN or network lines, media must make arrangements with Bell South at: (800) 213-4988. Media must have an assigned seat in the Kennedy newsroom prior to setting up lines. Media are required to have a public affairs escort to any Kennedy area except the Launch Complex 39 cafeteria.
Kennedy credentials will be honored during the STS-121 mission at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, Houston, and NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards AFB, Calif. Media should still contact Dryden public affairs to gain access onto Edwards AFB.
JOHNSON SPACE CENTER
Media may either present Kennedy STS-121 mission credentials or obtain Johnson’s by calling the center’s newsroom at: (281) 483-5111. Media planning to only cover the mission from Johnson should only apply at the center.
Deadlines for submitting Johnson accreditation requests: June 9, non-U.S. media, regardless of citizenship; June 16, U.S. media who are U.S. citizens.
Media covering the mission from Johnson using Kennedy credentials must contact the newsroom by June 16 to arrange workspace, phone lines and other logistics. Johnson is responsible for credentialing media if the shuttle lands at White Sands Space Harbor, N.M. If a landing is imminent at White Sands, credentials will be arranged.
DRYDEN FLIGHT RESEARCH CENTER
The shuttle could land on short notice at Dryden. Media should consider accrediting Los Angeles-based personnel who could quickly travel to Dryden.
Submit requests for accreditation to Dryden Public Affairs by May 19 for non-U.S. media, regardless of citizenship; June 13, U.S. media who are U.S. citizens.
U.S. citizens representing domestic media must furnish: full name, date of birth, place of birth, media organization, the last six digits of social security number and driver’s license number, including issuing state.
In addition to above, foreign media representatives, regardless of citizenship, must furnish: citizenship, visa or passport number, expiration date, and alien registration number if resident alien.
Fax requests for Dryden accreditation on company letterhead to: (661) 276-3566. E-mail requests to pao@dfrc.nasa.gov are acceptable for media who have been to Dryden within the past year. Requests must include a phone number and business e-mail address for follow-up contact. No substitutions of non-credentialed media allowed. Media who responded to the prior advisory regarding credentialing for mission STS-121 are not required to reapply.
NASA PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACTS: Kennedy: Bruce Buckingham, (321) 867-2468; Johnson: James Hartsfield, (281) 483-5111; Dryden: Leslie Williams, (661) 276-3893.
For information about the STS-121 mission or crew, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle
