Oct 19, 2009

Allard Beutel Kennedy Space Center, Fla 321-867-2468 allard beutel@nasa gov

John Yembrick Headquarters, Washington 202-358-1100 john yembrick-1@nasa gov

Kyle Herring Johnson Space Center, Houston 281-483-5111 kyle j herring@nasa gov

RELEASE: 09-246

NASA UPDATES SHUTTLE ATLANTIS TARGET LAUNCH DATE, CREW REHEARSAL

WASHINGTON -- NASA is targeting Nov 16 for the launch of space shuttle Atlantis' STS-129 mission from the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida

Managers for NASA's Space Operations Mission Directorate and Exploration Systems Mission Directorate met Monday and decided to adjust Atlantis' target launch date to optimize the agency's ability to launch both Ares I-X and Atlantis before the end of the year The same launch team at Kennedy is supporting both the shuttle and the flight test of the Ares I-X rocket, which is targeted to lift off on Oct 27 Ares I-X is scheduled to roll out to its launch pad at 12:01 a m EDT Tuesday

Atlantis' new target launch date will give Ares I-X launch opportunities Oct 27, 28 and 29 NASA has yet to schedule Atlantis' new target liftoff date on the Eastern Range

The change to Atlantis' targeted launch will affect the launch countdown dress rehearsal for the shuttle's six astronauts The astronauts arrived at Kennedy on Monday for the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test and related training The simulated countdown has been rescheduled to Nov 3 The astronauts will practice emergency escape and other related training while they are at Kennedy this week and return there Nov 2 to conclude their rehearsal work

The agency's Flight Readiness Review meeting for STS-129 is set for Oct 29 NASA will schedule an official launch date for Atlantis following that meeting

For more information about the STS-129 mission and its crew, visit:

http://www nasa gov/shuttle

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