Oct. 21, 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 MEDIA ADVISORY: M09-204 NASA TO HOLD NEWS CONFERENCE ABOUT NEXT SPACE SHUTTLE LAUNCH CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA has scheduled a news conference for approximately 6 p.m. EDT on Thursday, Oct. 29, to discuss the status of the next space shuttle launch. The news conference, originating from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, will begin after the conclusion of the Flight Readiness Review. The review will assess preparations for shuttle Atlantis' STS-129 mission to the International Space Station. The review is expected to include the selection of an official launch date. Atlantis currently is targeted to launch at 2:28 p.m. on Nov. 16. The briefing participants are: - Bill Gerstenmaier, associate administrator for Space Operations, NASA Headquarters, Washington - John Shannon, manager, Space Shuttle Program, NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston - Mike Leinbach, space shuttle launch director, Kennedy NASA Television and the agency's Web site will broadcast the briefing live. Reporters may ask questions from participating NASA locations and should contact their preferred NASA center to confirm its participation. For NASA TV streaming video, downlink and scheduling information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/ntv For STS-129 crew and mission information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle -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