NASA Invites Media to View Vehicle to Transport Orion Spacecraft and Rocket for Launches on the Journey to Mars Feb. 23
Media are invited to a photo and interview opportunity Monday, Feb. 23, at 7 a.m. EST at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida to view a move of crawler-transporter 2 that will test recently completed modifications. Media should arrive at Kennedy's Press Site by 6:30 a.m. for transportation to the crawler.
Crawler-transporter 2, known as CT-2, is being modified to extend the lifetime of the crawler's systems to allow it to carry NASA's new Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket and Orion spacecraft, as well as other future space program vehicles, to Kennedy's launch pad. Using these vehicles, NASA will send astronauts farther than ever before, first to an asteroid, and onward to Mars. The modifications will enable the crawler to continue supporting human spaceflight for another 20 years. The move also marks 50 years since the crawler was put into commission.
Video highlights of the move will air during Video File segments on NASA Television, although the move will not be shown live.
NASA's two crawler-transporters are unique. They originally were built in 1965 to carry the massive Saturn V rocket and Apollo spacecraft from Kennedy’s Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Complex 39. After the moon landing and Skylab programs, the crawlers continued their work, taking space shuttles to their launch pads for 30 years.
Media without permanent credentials must apply for accreditation by noon Friday, Feb. 20. Accreditation is closed for international media. Media must apply for credentials online at:
https://media.ksc.nasa.govGreen card holders must submit a scanned copy of their cards to jennifer.p.horner@nasa.gov for processing no later than close of business on Thursday, Feb. 19. Questions about accreditation may be addressed to Jennifer Horner by email or at 321-867-6598.
Badges will be available for pickup Feb. 23 at the Kennedy Badging Office, located on State Road 405, east of the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Hours for the Kennedy Badging Office are 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Two forms of current, government-issued identification are required to receive a badge. One must include a photo, such as a driver’s license or passport.
Any updates on the move will be available at 321-867-2525.
NASA's Ground Systems Development and Operations Program is overseeing the crawler upgrade work. For more information about the program, visit:
http://go.nasa.gov/groundsystemsVideo B-roll of the move will air on NASA TV's Video File. For NASA TV downlink information, schedules and links to streaming video, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/ntv
