03.06.06 George Diller Kennedy Space Center, Fla. Phone: (321) 867-2468 Lynn Chandler Goddard Space Flight Center, Md. Phone: (301) 286-2806 Barry Beneski Orbital Sciences Corporation, Va. Phone: (703) 406-5528 MEDIA ADVISORY: 17-06 NASA SETS MEDIA EVENTS FOR SPACE TECHNOLOGY 5 LAUNCH NASA's Space Technology 5 (ST5) spacecraft is scheduled to launch from an Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL vehicle at 6:02 a.m. PST (9:02 EST) on March 14 within a launch window that extends from 5:57 to 7:19 a.m. PST. The drop point of the Pegasus from the L-1011 carrier aircraft is a location over the Pacific Ocean approximately 100 miles offshore west-northwest of Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. ST5 will be launched at an azimuth of 105.6 degrees into an elliptical polar orbit of 186 miles by 2,796 miles. The New Millennium Program's ST5 spacecraft consists of three miniature satellites called "micro-sats." ST5 will flight-validate innovative technology concepts to reduce risks to future science missions. Although only 55 pounds each, the satellites have capabilities comparable to those of much larger spacecraft. ST5 will demonstrate the ability of small satellites to perform research-quality science by taking measurements of the Earth's magnetic field using highly sensitive magnetometers. NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida is responsible for launch vehicle and spacecraft integration and launch countdown management. NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., is responsible for the overall ST5 mission management, the spacecraft and associated technology development. Orbital Sciences Corporation is responsible for providing the Pegasus XL launch service to NASA. Prelaunch Press Conference A prelaunch press conference and mission briefing, to be carried live on NASA Television, will begin at 1 p.m. PST (4 p.m. EST) on March 12 in the conference room of the NASA-KSC Resident Office at Vandenberg Air Force Base. Participating in the prelaunch press conference will be: Jim Slavin, NASA ST5 Project Scientist NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md. Chuck Dovale, NASA Launch Director/NASA Launch Manager NASA Kennedy Space Center, Fla. Bryan Baldwin, Pegasus Launch Vehicle Program Director Orbital Sciences Corporation, McClean, Va. Art Azarbarzin, NASA ST5 Spacecraft Project Manager NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md. U.S. Air Force Capt. David G. Bieger, Launch Weather Officer 30th Weather Squadron, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. ST5 Mission Briefing An ST5 mission briefing will immediately follow the prelaunch press conference. Participating will be: Ray Taylor, Science Mission Directorate NASA Headquarters, Washington Chris Stevens, New Millennium Program Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. Jim Slavin, ST5 Project Scientist NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md. Press Accreditation and ST5 Coverage News media desiring accreditation to cover the prelaunch press conference and launch of ST5 should call USAF Staff Sgt. Allen Puckett in the 30th Space Wing Public Affairs Office at Vandenberg at 805/606-3595. On March 12, local media desiring to cover the ST5 prelaunch press conference and mission briefing should meet at the south gate of Vandenberg Air Force Base on California State Road 246 at 12:30 p.m. PST for escort to the NASA Vandenberg Resident Office in Building 840. On launch day, March 14, media representatives should meet at the Vandenberg main gate at 4:30 a.m. PST to be escorted to the viewing room of the NASA Mission Director's Center located at Building 840 on South Vandenberg Air Force Base. From there, media may follow the L-1011 departure, flight and launch of Pegasus/ST5. Assuming a successful flight of the Pegasus, a post-launch news conference will not be held. However, launch vehicle and spacecraft representatives will be available afterward to informally answer questions from the media. NASA Television Launch Coverage of Pegasus/ST5 Live coverage on NASA Television of the Pegasus/ST5 launch will begin at 4:30 a.m. PST (7:30 a.m. EST) on March 14 and continue through spacecraft separation from the Pegasus vehicle, which occurs approximately 10 minutes after launch. Live launch commentary and audio of the Pegasus/ST5 briefings will be available on the "V circuits" that may be dialed at 321/867-1220, 1240, 1260. In the continental United States, NASA TV is available via satellite on AMC-6, Transponder 17, C-Band, located at 72 degrees West longitude. The frequency is 4040.0 Mhz video, 6.8 Mhz audio, MPEG-2 digital signal. In Alaska and Hawaii, NASA TV is available on AMC-7, Transponder 18, C-Band, at 137 degrees West longitude. The frequency is 4060.0 MHz. Polarization is vertical, and audio is monaural at 6.80 MHz. For NASA TV launch coverage, information and schedules on the Internet, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/ntv Web Prelaunch, Launch and Mission Coverage of Pegasus/ST5 NASA Direct, Kennedy Space Center's Internet broadcasting network, will conduct a prelaunch webcast from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., on March 12 at 4 p.m. PST (7 p.m. EST). It will include interviews with representatives from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Experts will also take part in a question-and-answer session discussing the goals of the mission and the science and technology involved in ST5. The NASA Direct question board closes March 9 at 8 a.m. PST (11 a.m. EST). Kennedy Space Center's Virtual Launch Control Center will provide launch day coverage on March 14 beginning at 4:30 a.m. PST (7:30 a.m. EST). Coverage features real-time updates as countdown milestones occur, as well as streaming video clips highlighting mission preparation and launch activities. For launch coverage and ST5 mission information, go to the NASA Direct Web site at: http://www.nasa.gov/st5 Pegasus/ST5 News Center The Pegasus/ST5 News Center at the NASA Vandenberg Resident Office will be staffed starting on March 6 and may be reached between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. PST at 805/605-3051. A recorded status report will also be available starting at that time and may be reached by dialing 805/734-2693. The U.S. Air Force Public Affairs office may be reached at 805/606-3595. -end- To subscribe to the list, send a message to: ksc-subscribe@newsletters.nasa.gov To remove your address from the list, send a message to: ksc-unsubscribe@newsletters.nasa.gov
