Media accreditation is now open for the Space Shuttle Discovery’s launch on the STS-116 mission to the International Space Station. Launch is targeted for no earlier than Dec. 7.
All U.S. and international media must apply for credentials to attend the launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, or to cover the mission from NASA centers.
To be accredited media must work for legitimate, verifiable news-gathering organizations. Media may need to submit accreditation requests at multiple NASA facilities.
Additional time may be required to process accreditation requests by journalists from certain designated countries. Designated countries include those with which the United States has no diplomatic relations, are on the State Department list of state sponsors of terrorism, are under U.S. sanction or embargo, or which raise proliferation concerns. Please contact the accrediting NASA center for details. Journalists should confirm they have been accredited before they travel.
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER
Media applying for credentials at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Fla., should submit requests via the Web at:
Media must use work, not personal e-mail addresses when applying for credentials. Once accreditation is approved applicants will receive confirmation via e-mail. Accredited media will have access to launch dress rehearsal activities Nov. 13-16, known as the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test, and to launch events. The STS-116 mission badge will be accepted for both events. For the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test activities, all media must apply for credentials by Nov 6. For launch week events only, all media must apply by Nov. 27.
Media with special logistic requests for Kennedy Space Center, such as space for trailers, electrical connections or work stations in the newsroom, must contact Laurel Lichtenberger by Nov. 30 at laurel.a.lichtenberger@nasa.gov.
Work stations are provided on a first-come basis. To set up temporary telephone, fax, ISDN or network lines, media must make arrangements with BellSouth at 800-213-4988. Media must have an assigned seat in the Kennedy newsroom prior to setting up lines. Media must have a public affairs escort to any Kennedy area except the Launch Complex 39 cafeteria.
Kennedy credentials will be honored during the STS-116 mission at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, Houston, and NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. Media still should contact NASA Dryden public affairs for access to Edwards Air Force Base.
JOHNSON SPACE CENTER
Media may either present Kennedy STS-116 mission credentials or obtain Johnson Space Flight Center credentials by calling the Johnson newsroom at 281-483-5111. Media planning to cover the mission only from Johnson should only apply at that center.
Deadlines for submitting Johnson Space Center accreditation requests are Tuesday, Nov. 14 for non-U.S. media, regardless of citizenship and Friday, Dec. 1, for U.S. media who are U.S. citizens.
Media covering the mission from Johnson using Kennedy credentials must contact the Johnson newsroom by Dec. 1 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 by Johnson.
DRYDEN FLIGHT RESEARCH CENTER
Notice for a space shuttle landing at Dryden Flight Research Center on Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., could be short. National media should consider accrediting Los Angeles-based personnel who could travel quickly to Dryden.
Deadlines for submitting Dryden Flight Research Center accreditation requests are Wednesday, Nov. 8, for non-U.S. media, regardless of citizenship and Monday, Dec. 11, for U.S. media who are U.S. citizens.
For Dryden media credentials U.S. citizens representing domestic media must furnish their full name, date of birth, place of birth, media organization, the last six digits of their social security number and driver’s license number, including issuing state.
In addition to the above requirements, foreign media representatives, regardless of citizenship, must furnish data including their citizenship, visa or passport number, expiration date, and alien registration number if applicable.
Media should fax requests for Dryden Flight Research Center accreditation on organization 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 are allowed at any NASA facility. If the STS-116 launch is delayed beyond Dec. 7, the deadline for domestic media may be extended on a day-for-day basis.
NASA PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACTS:
Kennedy Space Center: Jessica Rye, 321-867-2468
Johnson Space Center: James Hartsfield, 281-483-5111
Dryden Flight Research Center: Leslie Williams, 661-276-3893
For information about the STS-116 mission or crew, visit:
