What: On April 19, crew members of the STS-133 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. Shuttle Discovery launched on its final mission from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Feb. 24 and returned March 9.
During their 13-day mission, astronauts delivered the Permanent Multipurpose Module, formerly known as the Leonardo Multipurpose Logistics Module. Engineers at the Marshall Center were responsible for developing and integrating the modifications to convert it to a permanent fixture for storage on the orbiting facility. During the mission, astronauts performed two spacewalks for maintenance work and installation of new components. Also aboard Discovery was Robonaut 2, a human upper torso-like robot that could be a precursor of devices to help during spacewalks. STS-133 was the 35th shuttle mission to the space station.
Who: Commander Steven W. Lindsey; Pilot Eric Boe; and Mission Specialists Alvin Drew, Steve Bowen, Nicole Stott and Michael Barratt.
When and Where: Tuesday, April 19
9:30-9:45 a.m. CDT — Crew members will be available for a brief question-and-answer session with news media in Building 4200, Press Room 115. An 8:30 a.m. arrival time at Gate 9 for badging is recommended to ensure adequate security processing time.
0 a.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. Monday, April 18. 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-133 mission, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts133/main/index.html