May 12, 2009

George H Diller Kennedy Space Center, Fla 321-867-2468 george h diller@nasa gov

Jonas G Dino Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif 650-604-5612 jonas g dino@nasa gov

Nancy Neal Jones Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md 301-286-0039 nancy n jones@nasa gov

MEDIA ADVISORY: 28-09

NASA OFFERS MEDIA ACCESS TO MOON MISSION SPACECRAFT MAY 15

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla -- NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, or LRO, and Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite, or LCROSS, will be the focus of a media opportunity at 7:30 a m Friday, May 15, at the Astrotech Space Operations facility in Titusville, Fla The spacecraft are set to launch aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket no earlier than June 2 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla

Friday's event is an opportunity to photograph the integrated LRO/LCROSS spacecraft and interview project and launch program officials The spacecraft will be seen just prior to its encapsulation into the Atlas V payload fairing which will be located adjacent to the spacecraft

To participate, U S news media representatives may proceed directly to Astrotech located in the Spaceport Florida Industrial Park, 1515 Chaffee Drive, Titusville No pre-accreditation is required Access at the gate will start at 7:15 a m A photo identification will be required Media who are foreign nationals may attend only if they possess a permanently issued NASA news media accreditation badge from the Kennedy Space Center

For the media event, procedures for optically sensitive spacecraft must be followed by individuals entering the cleanroom where the spacecraft is being prepared for launch Full cleanroom attire, known as "bunny suits," must be worn and will be furnished Please do not wear perfume, cologne or makeup Long pants and closed-toe shoes must be worn and no shorts or skirts

Camera equipment will be cleaned by contamination-control specialists All camera equipment must be self-contained; no portable lights can be allowed Non-essential equipment such as suede, leather or vinyl camera bags or other carrying cases must be left outside the cleanroom No pencils or felt-tipped pens are permitted; only ball-point pens may be used No food, tobacco, chewing gum, lighters, matches or pocketknives will be allowed

Flash photography cannot be permitted There is adequate metal halide lighting in the facility for photography (white with slight green cast; suggested exposure for ISO-ASA 400 is 1/30 sec at f/5 6 ) Wireless microphones will be allowed, but use of cellular telephones cannot be accommodated

Project management for LRO is the responsibility of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md LCROSS is the responsibility of the NASA Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif The LCROSS spacecraft has been manufactured for NASA by Northrup Grumman Spokespersons from Goddard, Ames and Kennedy Space Center will be available for questions and interviews

The LRO/LCROSS mission hopes to discover what the moon has to offer for future moon dwellers This will include finding safe landing sites, life sustaining elements, developing new technologies and understanding the impact radiation could have on humans that will someday inhabit the bleak landscape of the moon Approximately four to five months after launch LCROSS will impact the moon, providing key information about the moon's composition and the presence of water ice or hydrated minerals LRO will orbit the poles of the moon during a survey and mapping mission lasting up to five years

For more information about LRO, visit:

http://www nasa gov/lro

For more information about LCROSS, visit:

http://www nasa gov/lcross

-end-

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