MOFFETT FIELD, Calif. – NASA Ames Research Center will host a news briefing at 1 p.m. PDT Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2007, to provide updates on NASA’s Constellation Program.
Constellation is developing the Orion spacecraft and Ares rockets to support an American return to the moon by 2020. The Orion spacecraft will carry astronauts to the International Space Station by 2015, and support missions to the moon, Mars and beyond.
NASA Ames leads the Orion Thermal Protection System Advanced Development Project that is producing a heat shield to protect Orion during its return from low-Earth orbit or the moon.
WHAT: An opportunity to question NASA officials about the ongoing development of the Orion crew capsule and Ares launch vehicles.
WHEN: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. PDT Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2007.
WHO: Participants will include Constellation Program Manager Jeff Hanley and Orion Project Manager Skip Hatfield, both of NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston; and James Reuther of NASA Ames, leader of the Advanced Development Thermal Protection Systems (heat shield) Project for the Orion crew exploration vehicle.
WHERE: The NASA Ames Main Auditorium. To reach Ames, take U.S. Highway 101 to the Moffett Field, NASA Parkway exit and drive east in the right lane towards the main gate. A security guard will direct visitors to park in a small lot to the right, near the Visitor Control Bldg., where U.S. citizens will be asked to present government picture identification, such as a valid driver’s license. News media representatives will be provided directions to Ames’ Main Auditorium.
For more information about the Orion heat shield, see:
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/research/humaninspace/cevheatshield.html
For information about Orion, visit:
