James P. Dutton, Jr., of Eugene, Ore., will make his first journey into orbit on space shuttle Discovery’s next mission to the International Space Station. The STS-131 flight is targeted to launch April 5 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Dutton is available for interviews about the upcoming mission until Tuesday, March 9.
Dutton is the pilot of the 13-day flight that will deliver supplies, a new crew sleeping quarters and science racks that will be transferred to the station’s laboratories. Discovery’s flight is one of only four remaining shuttle missions planned before the fleet is retired. The last space shuttle flight is currently targeted to launch in September 2010.
To cover the STS-131 launch on-site, U.S. reporters must request credentials for Kennedy by March 24. Media representatives should submit requests online at: https://media.ksc.nasa.gov/
Reporters interested in interviews with Dutton should contact Gayle Frere at 281-483-8645 by March 3 to reserve an opportunity.
For Dutton’s complete biography, visit: http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/dutton-jp.html
For the latest information about the STS-131 mission and crew, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle
For the current schedule of remaining shuttle flights, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/stationflights
The public can learn how to view a shuttle launch or landing in Florida at: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/about/view
