NASA News National Aeronautics and Space Administration John F. Kennedy Space Center Kennedy Space Center, Florida 32899 AC 321-867-2468 ____________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________ For Release: March 26, 2003 George H. Diller Kennedy Space Center 321/867-2468 KSC Release No. 25-03 NOTE TO EDITORS/NEWS DIRECTORS: PRESS OPPORTUNITY FOR SPACE INFRARED TELESCOPE FACILITY TO BE HELD AT KSC ON FRIDAY, MARCH 28 NASA's Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF), to be launched on a Boeing Delta II launch vehicle on April 18, will be the subject of a news media opportunity at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) on Friday, March 28 at 8:30 a.m. Media representatives will be taken inside the clean room at NASA Spacecraft Hangar AE to see and photograph the SIRTF observatory. SIRTF marks the finale of NASA's Great Observatories program that includes the Hubble Space Telescope, the Chandra X-ray Observatory and the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory. It will seek the oldest, coldest and most dust-obscured objects in the universe. The observatory's ability to sleuth around for low-temperature objects will also aid in the search for planetary systems in the make, some of which may breed Earth-like planets harboring life. For this event, full clean room protocol must be observed. Those planning to attend are requested to wear long pants and closed-toe shoes. Clean room attire (bunny suits) will be furnished. Quality control personnel will request cleaning of photographic equipment with alcohol wipes that will be provided. No suede, leather or vinyl camera cases are permitted within the clean room. Special bags will be provided for camera accessories. Please do not wear perfume, cologne or makeup. No graphite pencils, food, tobacco, chewing gum, lighters, matches, or pocketknives will be permitted inside the clean room. Electronic flash photography is permitted. The lighting in the facility is mercury vapor. Spokespersons from the SIRTF project will be available to answer questions and for interviews. Those needing accreditation should contact the NASA News Center at 321/867-2468 by the close of business Thursday, March 27. On Friday, media will depart by bus at 8:30 a.m. from the Gate 3 Pass & Identification Building located south of Titusville on SR 405 just east of U.S. 1. No transportation will be provided from the KSC Press Site. Media who need badging for KSC access should arrive at least 30 minutes or more before departure time. # # # ------------------------------------------------------------- For automatic email subscriptions to this KSC originated press releases, send an Internet electronic mail message to mailto:ksc-news_release-subscribe@kscnews.ksc.nasa.gov. With no subject or message. The system will reply with a confirmation via e-mail of each subscription. To remove your name from the list at any time, send an email addressed to mailto:ksc-news_release-unsubscribe@kscnews.ksc.nasa.gov . With no subject or message. or you can (un)subscribe on the World Wide Web at: http://kscnews.ksc.nasa.gov/ Status reports and other NASA publications are available on the World Wide Web at: http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/kscpao.htm .