What: On March 31, crew members of the STS-130 space shuttle mission to the International Space Station will visit NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., to speak to the Marshall team and with members of the local news media. Space shuttle Endeavour launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Feb. 8, and returned Feb. 21.

The STS-130 astronauts delivered and installed the two final U.S. segments of the space station during the mission, including Tranquility, which provides additional space for crew members and many of the station’s life support and environmental control systems. The Node Integration Office at the Marshall Center provided technical assistance and coordination on Tranquility, and supported the Mission Control Center at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston during on-orbit operations and activation activities. The STS-130 crew also delivered and installed the station’s new cupola – a robotic observation and control station that will be used for viewing celestial objects and visiting spacecraft. The mission featured three spacewalks.

Who: STS-130 Commander George Zamka, Pilot Terry Virts and Mission Specialists Nicholas Patrick and Stephen Robinson will participate in the Marshall event.

When & Where: Wednesday, March 31

12:55-1:15 p.m. CDT – Crew members will be available for a brief question-and-answer session with news media in Building 4200, Press Room 115. (A noon arrival time at Gate 9 for badging is recommended to ensure adequate security processing time.

1:30-2:30 p.m. – Crew members will provide mission highlights in Morris Auditorium, Building 4200.

To attend: News media interested in covering the event should contact the Marshall Public & Employee Communications Office at 256-544-0034 no later than 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 30. Media must report to the Redstone Arsenal Joint Visitor Control Center at Gate 9, Interstate 565 interchange at Rideout Road/Research Park Boulevard. Vehicles are subject to a security search at the gate. News media will need two photo identifications and proof of car insurance. Visitor parking is available in front of Building 4200 on the southwest side.

For more information about the STS-130 mission, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts130/main/index.html