Nov 30, 2010

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

Michael Braukus Headquarters, Washington 202-358-1979 michael j braukus@nasa gov

Josh Byerly Johnson Space Center, Houston 281-483-5111 josh byerly@nasa gov

MEDIA ADVISORY: M10-168

NASA SETS COVERAGE FOR COTS 1 LAUNCH TARGETED FOR DEC 7

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla -- The first SpaceX Falcon 9 demonstration launch for NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services program is targeted for liftoff on Tuesday, Dec 7 Liftoff will occur from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida The launch window extends from 9:03 a m to 12:22 p m EST If necessary, launch opportunities also are available on Dec 8 and Dec 9 with the same window

Known as COTS 1, the launch is the first flight of the Dragon spacecraft and the first commercial attempt to re-enter a spacecraft from orbit This is the first of three test launches currently planned in the Falcon 9 test flight series It is intended as a demonstration mission to prove key capabilities such as launch, structural integrity of the Dragon spacecraft, on-orbit operation, re-entry, descent and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean

NASA established the COTS program to procure a commercial launch service to stimulate the commercial space industry, to facilitate a private industry cargo capability to the International Space Station as soon as achievable, and to achieve cost-effective access to low Earth orbit that will attract private customers

PRELAUNCH NEWS CONFERENCE

The prelaunch news conference for the COTS 1 Falcon 9 launch is planned for L-1, currently Monday, Dec 6, at 1:30 p m , at the press site at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida NASA Television will provide live coverage, and the briefing will be streamed at http://www nasa gov/ntv

The prelaunch news conference participants will be:

• Phil McAlister, acting director, Commercial Space Flight Development NASA Headquarters, Washington

• Alan Lindenmoyer, manager, Commercial Crew and Cargo Program NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston

• Gwynne Shotwell, president SpaceX, Hawthorne, Calif

• Mike McAleenan, Falcon 9 Launch Weather Officer 45th Weather Squadron, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station

A post-mission news conference will be held at Kennedy approximately one hour after splashdown occurs

Audio of the prelaunch and post-mission news conferences also will be carried on the NASA "V" circuits, which can be accessed directly by dialing 321-867-1220, 1240, 1260 or 7135

FALCON 9 LAUNCH PAD PHOTO OPPORTUNITY

On Dec 6 following the prelaunch news conference, a photo opportunity of the Falcon 9 rocket on the launch pad will be available for media representatives Spokespeople from SpaceX will be available to answer questions Journalists who wish to participate should plan to depart the Kennedy press site no earlier than 2:15 p m Media will be returned to the press site by approximately 4 p m

REMOTE CAMERA SET-UPS

While sound-activated remote cameras cannot be established inside the launch pad perimeter, other locations will be available Media representatives wishing to establish remote cameras should be at the Kennedy press site on L-1, Dec 6, at 9 a m

NASA TV AND WEB LAUNCH COVERAGE

On launch day, Dec 7, NASA TV live coverage will begin at the conclusion of the built-in hold at T-5 minutes and counting For NASA TV downlink information, schedules and links to streaming video, visit:

http://www nasa gov/ntv

Prelaunch and launch day coverage of the COTS 1 Falcon 9 mission will be available on the NASA website at:

http://www nasa gov

Coverage will include live streaming and text updates of the final five minutes of the countdown On-demand streaming video, podcast and photos of the launch will be available shortly after liftoff To access these features, go to NASA's COTS website at:

http://www nasa gov/cots

MEDIA CREDENTIALS

To attend the prelaunch news conference and/or to cover the launch, journalists must request credentials at:

https://media ksc nasa gov

The Kennedy Badging Office on State Road 405 is open Monday through Friday from 6 a m until 4 p m For more information about credentials, contact Laurel Lichtenberger at 321-867-4036

Launch day media activities will be outlined in a Dec 3 news release to be issued by SpaceX For questions and further information about SpaceX, contact Kirstin Brost at 202-649-2716

Johnson Space Center is responsible for the Commercial Crew and Cargo Program Office for the COTS program as part of the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters

For further information about the COTS 1 launch, contact the Kennedy press site at 321-867-2468 or visit:

http://www nasa gov/kennedy

-end-

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