NASA Television and the agency’s home on the Internet, http://www.nasa.gov, will provide extensive prelaunch and launch day coverage of the Space Shuttle Atlantis mission STS-117 to the International Space Station. Liftoff is targeted for 7:38 p.m. EDT June 8 from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

A prelaunch webcast is set for 11 a.m. EDT June 7 on NASA Direct, Kennedy’s Internet broadcasting network. The program will feature a mission overview hosted by Lisa Malone, director of Kennedy’s External Relations. Highlights will include an interview with astronaut Leland Melvin who will answer questions about the continued construction of the International Space Station, focusing on the solar arrays.

Live countdown coverage on NASA’s launch blog begins at 1:30 p.m. EDT on June 8. Coverage features real-time updates as countdown milestones occur, as well as streaming video clips highlighting launch preparations and liftoff.

To access these interactive features, go to NASA’s space shuttle main page at http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle and follow the links provided in the right column under the “Launch Coverage” section. For more information about mission STS-117 online events, contact Jeanne Ryba at 321-867-2468.

On launch day, NASA TV will begin broadcasting mission commentary at 1:30 p.m. EDT. For detailed television scheduling information, visit the Web at: http://www.nasa.gov/ntv