NASA will honor New Mexico at the upcoming launch of space shuttle Atlantis on the STS-122 mission, currently targeted for Dec. 6 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
The seven-member crew of Atlantis will deliver the European Space Agency’s Columbus laboratory to the International Space Station, significantly increasing the research capability in orbit. During the past year and a half, solar arrays and a connecting module have been added to provide power and a pathway for Columbus and other modules to be attached to the station.
New Mexico is a member of the space grant consortium, a coalition between NASA and New Mexico colleges, universities and other institutions representing diverse aerospace education and research activities. In fiscal year 2007, New Mexico’s state colleges received $590,000 to develop aerospace-related and high technology educational and research efforts. New Mexico is home to former NASA astronauts Sidney Gutierrez and Harrison Schmitt.
NASA is honoring all 50 states during the remaining flights of the space shuttle, which will be retired in 2010. New Mexico journalists interested in covering the launch of Atlantis at Kennedy must request credentials by Nov. 21. Media should submit requests online at:
Mission news conferences and briefings air on NASA Television. For NASA TV downlink, streaming video and scheduling information, visit:
For the latest information about the STS-122 mission and crew, visit:
