03.06.06
George Diller
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
Phone: (321) 867-2468
Lynn Chandler
Goddard Space Flight Center, Md.
Phone: (301) 286-2806
Barry Beneski
Orbital Sciences Corporation, Va.
Phone: (703) 406-5528
MEDIA ADVISORY: 17-06
NASA SETS MEDIA EVENTS FOR SPACE TECHNOLOGY 5 LAUNCH
NASA's Space Technology 5 (ST5) spacecraft is scheduled to launch from
an Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL vehicle at 6:02 a.m. PST (9:02 EST) on
March 14 within a launch window that extends from 5:57 to 7:19 a.m.
PST. The drop point of the Pegasus from the L-1011 carrier aircraft
is a location over the Pacific Ocean approximately 100 miles offshore
west-northwest of Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. ST5 will be
launched at an azimuth of 105.6 degrees into an elliptical polar
orbit of 186 miles by 2,796 miles.
The New Millennium Program's ST5 spacecraft consists of three
miniature satellites called "micro-sats." ST5 will flight-validate
innovative technology concepts to reduce risks to future science
missions.
Although only 55 pounds each, the satellites have capabilities
comparable to those of much larger spacecraft. ST5 will demonstrate
the ability of small satellites to perform research-quality science
by taking measurements of the Earth's magnetic field using highly
sensitive magnetometers.
NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida is responsible for launch
vehicle and spacecraft integration and launch countdown management.
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., is responsible
for the overall ST5 mission management, the spacecraft and associated
technology development. Orbital Sciences Corporation is responsible
for providing the Pegasus XL launch service to NASA.
Prelaunch Press Conference
A prelaunch press conference and mission briefing, to be carried live
on NASA Television, will begin at 1 p.m. PST (4 p.m. EST) on March 12
in the conference room of the NASA-KSC Resident Office at Vandenberg
Air Force Base.
Participating in the prelaunch press conference will be:
Jim Slavin, NASA ST5 Project Scientist
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.
Chuck Dovale, NASA Launch Director/NASA Launch Manager
NASA Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
Bryan Baldwin, Pegasus Launch Vehicle Program Director
Orbital Sciences Corporation, McClean, Va.
Art Azarbarzin, NASA ST5 Spacecraft Project Manager
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.
U.S. Air Force Capt. David G. Bieger, Launch Weather Officer
30th Weather Squadron, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
ST5 Mission Briefing
An ST5 mission briefing will immediately follow the prelaunch press
conference. Participating will be:
Ray Taylor, Science Mission Directorate
NASA Headquarters, Washington
Chris Stevens, New Millennium Program
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.
Jim Slavin, ST5 Project Scientist
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.
Press Accreditation and ST5 Coverage
News media desiring accreditation to cover the prelaunch press
conference and launch of ST5 should call USAF Staff Sgt. Allen
Puckett in the 30th Space Wing Public Affairs Office at Vandenberg at
805/606-3595.
On March 12, local media desiring to cover the ST5 prelaunch press
conference and mission briefing should meet at the south gate of
Vandenberg Air Force Base on California State Road 246 at 12:30 p.m.
PST for escort to the NASA Vandenberg Resident Office in Building
840.
On launch day, March 14, media representatives should meet at the
Vandenberg main gate at 4:30 a.m. PST to be escorted to the viewing
room of the NASA Mission Director's Center located at Building 840 on
South Vandenberg Air Force Base. From there, media may follow the
L-1011 departure, flight and launch of Pegasus/ST5.
Assuming a successful flight of the Pegasus, a post-launch news
conference will not be held. However, launch vehicle and spacecraft
representatives will be available afterward to informally answer
questions from the media.
NASA Television Launch Coverage of Pegasus/ST5
Live coverage on NASA Television of the Pegasus/ST5 launch will begin
at 4:30 a.m. PST (7:30 a.m. EST) on March 14 and continue through
spacecraft separation from the Pegasus vehicle, which occurs
approximately 10 minutes after launch. Live launch commentary and
audio of the Pegasus/ST5 briefings will be available on the "V
circuits" that may be dialed at 321/867-1220, 1240, 1260.
In the continental United States, NASA TV is available via satellite
on AMC-6, Transponder 17, C-Band, located at 72 degrees West
longitude. The frequency is 4040.0 Mhz video, 6.8 Mhz audio, MPEG-2
digital signal. In Alaska and Hawaii, NASA TV is available on AMC-7,
Transponder 18, C-Band, at 137 degrees West longitude. The frequency
is 4060.0 MHz. Polarization is vertical, and audio is monaural at
6.80 MHz.
For NASA TV launch coverage, information and schedules on the
Internet, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/ntvWeb Prelaunch, Launch and Mission Coverage of Pegasus/ST5
NASA Direct, Kennedy Space Center's Internet broadcasting network,
will conduct a prelaunch webcast from Vandenberg Air Force Base,
Calif., on March 12 at 4 p.m. PST (7 p.m. EST). It will include
interviews with representatives from NASA's Goddard Space Flight
Center and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Experts will also take part
in a question-and-answer session discussing the goals of the mission
and the science and technology involved in ST5. The NASA Direct
question board closes March 9 at 8 a.m. PST (11 a.m. EST).
Kennedy Space Center's Virtual Launch Control Center will provide
launch day coverage on March 14 beginning at 4:30 a.m. PST (7:30 a.m.
EST). Coverage features real-time updates as countdown milestones
occur, as well as streaming video clips highlighting mission
preparation and launch activities.
For launch coverage and ST5 mission information, go to the NASA Direct
Web site at:
http://www.nasa.gov/st5Pegasus/ST5 News Center
The Pegasus/ST5 News Center at the NASA Vandenberg Resident Office
will be staffed starting on March 6 and may be reached between 8 a.m.
and 4:30 p.m. PST at 805/605-3051.
A recorded status report will also be available starting at that time
and may be reached by dialing 805/734-2693. The U.S. Air Force Public
Affairs office may be reached at 805/606-3595.
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