NASA will begin the countdown for the launch of Space Shuttle Discovery at 5 p.m. EDT June 28, at the T-43 hour point. The countdown includes nearly 28 hours of built-in hold time leading to a preferred launch time at about 3:49 p.m. EDT on July 1. The launch window extends for about five minutes.

News conferences, events and operating hours for the Kennedy Space Center’s News Center, Fla., have been set for the July 1 launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-121. .

The crew of space shuttle Discovery is scheduled to arrive at Kennedy at noon EDT on Tuesday, June 27. Media planning to cover the event must be at the News Center by 11 a.m. EDT Tuesday for transportation to the Shuttle Landing Facility. Commander Steven Lindsey will make a brief statement to the media. The event will be aired live on NASA TV.

STS-121 BRIEFING AND EVENTS SCHEDULE (all times are EDT) *All briefings are held inside the Kennedy Press Site auditorium and will be carried live on NASA TV unless otherwise noted)

Launch-4 Days (Tuesday, June 27)

  • Noon: STS-121 crew arrival, Shuttle Landing Facility

Launch-3 Days (Wednesday, June 28)

  • 10 a.m.: Countdown Status Briefing with Steve Payne, NASA test director; Debbie Hahn, STS-121 payload manager; Kathy Winters, shuttle weather officer

  • 10:30 a.m.: Media depart for tour of Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Weather Facility

  • 5 p.m.: Launch countdown officially begins

  • Launch-2 Days (Thursday, June 29)

  • 10 a.m.: Countdown Status Briefing with Pete Nicolenko, NASA test director; Kathy Winters, shuttle weather officer

  • 4 p.m.: STS-121 Launch Readiness News Conference with Wayne Hale, Space Shuttle Program manager; Mike Suffredini, International Space Station Program manager; Mike Leinbach, shuttle launch director; Alan Thirkettle, International Space Station Program manager, European Space Agency; U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Kaleb Nordgren, 45th Weather Squadron

Launch-1 Day (Friday, June 30)

  • 10 a.m.: Countdown Status Briefing with Jeff Spaulding, NASA test director; Debbie Hahn, STS-121 payload manager; Kathy Winters, shuttle weather officer

  • 2 p.m.: Exploration Update with Scott Horowitz, associate administrator of Exploration Systems; Jeff Hanley, Constellation Program manager; Steve Cook, manager Exploration Launch Office

  • No earlier than 3 p.m.: Agency Overview Briefing with Mike Griffin, NASA administrator

Launch Day (Saturday, July 1)

  • 5:30 a.m.: Tanking activities commentary
  • 10 a.m.: Live launch commentary begins
  • Launch + 1 hour: Post-launch news conference with Mike Griffin, NASA administrator; Wayne Hale, Space Shuttle Program manager; Mike Leinbach, shuttle launch director

Kennedy News Center office hours for STS-121 (Hours may vary for in-flight events)

  • Tuesday, June 27 (Launch minus 4 days) 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday, June 28 (Launch minus 3 days) 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Thursday, June 29 (Launch minus 2 days) 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
  • Friday, June 30 (Launch minus 1 day) 7 a.m., then 24 hours
  • Saturday, July 1 (Launch — Flight day 1) open -12 midnight
  • Sunday, July 2 (Flight day 2) 1:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
  • July 3 — 12 (Flight days 3 -12) 8 a.m. 8 p.m.
  • Thursday, July 13 (Landing — Flight day 13) 6 a.m. 10 p.m.

(Times may be adjusted in real time depending on mission events and timelines.)

Media Badging Schedule

Media accredited for the mission can pick up their credentials from the Kennedy Pass and Identification office on State Road 3. Office hours of operation are:

  • Monday, June 26: 8 a.m. – noon
  • Tuesday, June 27: 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.
  • Wednesday, June 28: 8 a.m. -5 p.m.
  • Thursday, June 29: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Friday, June 30: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Saturday, July 1: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Public Affairs escort for media is required at Kennedy, except in the News Center or the Complex 39 cafeteria. Media are allowed at the press site only when public affairs personnel are on duty and the News Center is open.