Nov 8, 2007

Beth Dickey/Melissa Mathews Headquarters, Washington 202-358-2087/1272 beth dickey-1@nasa gov, melissa mathews-1@nasa gov<

Kelly Humphries/Lynnette Madison Johnson Space Center 281-483-5111 kelly o humphries@nasa gov, lynnette b madison@nasa gov<

Leslie Williams Dryden Flight Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif 661-276-3893 leslie a williams@nasa gov<

MEDIA ADVISORY: M07-158

NASA TO BREAK GROUND FOR ORION TEST PAD AT WHITE SANDS, N M

HOUSTON - NASA will break ground for a new test launch pad at the U S Army's White Sands Missile Range, N M , at 8:30 a m CST, Wednesday, Nov 14 The pad will be the site of a series of tests of a launch abort system that will help ensure the safety of astronauts aboard the new Orion spacecraft

NASA's Constellation Program is developing Orion to carry astronauts to the International Space Station, the moon and beyond Engineers will use the test results to help design Orion's launch abort system

The first of five planned abort tests is scheduled from the new pad on Sept 23, 2008 Two of the tests will evaluate the performance of the launch abort system at ground level Three more tests will evaluate its performance at different altitudes

News media are invited to attend the groundbreaking event and tour the construction site Media who want to attend should contact the White Sands Missile Range Public Affairs Office at 575-678-1134 by noon Tuesday, Nov 13, to request credentials Media should arrive no later 8 a m at the range's gate, where they will be met by a public affairs representative

For more information about NASA's Constellation Program and Orion, visit:

http://www nasa gov/constellation

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