June 19, 2009

Grey Hautaluoma/Ashley Edwards Headquarters, Washington 202-358-0668/1756 grey hautaluoma-1@nasa gov, ashley edwards-1@nasa gov

Keith Henry Langley Research Center, Hampton, Va 757-864-6120/344-7211 h k henry@nasa gov

Rebecca Powell Wallops Flight Facility, Wallops Island, Va 757-824-1139 rebecca h powell@nasa gov

MEDIA ADVISORY: M09-111

NASA RESCHEDULES TEST OF MAX LAUNCH ABORT SYSTEM FOR JUNE 25

WALLOPS ISLAND, Va -- Because of delays completing preliminary tests at the launch site, NASA has rescheduled the test launch of the Max Launch Abort System, or MLAS, to no earlier than June 25 at the agency's Wallops Flight Facility on Wallops Island, Va The launch window will extend from approximately 5:45 a m to 10 a m EDT

Because of the possibility of further schedule changes, news media representatives should contact Rebecca Powell at 757-824-1139 or Ashley Edwards at 202-358-1756 to confirm the exact date and time of the launch

The unpiloted test is part of an effort to design a system for safely propelling future spacecraft and crews away from hazards on the launch pad or during the climb to orbit This system was developed as an alternative concept to the launch abort system chosen for NASA's Orion crew capsule

The 33-foot-high MLAS vehicle will be launched to an altitude of approximately one mile to simulate an emergency on the launch pad A full-scale mockup of the crew capsule will separate from the launch vehicle and parachute into the Atlantic Ocean

For more information about MLAS, visit:

http://www nasa gov/centers/wallops/missions/mlas html

For more information about the Constellation Program, visit:

http://www nasa gov/constellation

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