April 9, 2010 Candrea Thomas Kennedy Space Center, Fla. 321-867-2468 candrea.k.thomas@nasa.gov Katherine Trinidad Headquarters, Washington 202-358-1100 katherine.trinidad@nasa.gov MEDIA ADVISORY: M21-10 NASA'S SHUTTLE ATLANTIS MOVES TO LAUNCH PAD, LIFTOFF PRACTICE SET CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Media are invited to cover space shuttle Atlantis' move from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39A and the STS-132 crew's launch dress rehearsal at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla. Rollout currently is scheduled for 12:01 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, April 20, but could move to 8 p.m. on Monday, April 19. The Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test, or TCDT, and related training are scheduled from April 20-23. All times listed below are for an April 20 rollout. Media with permanent Kennedy credentials, shuttle Discovery's STS-131 mission credentials, and those credentialed specifically for Atlantis' rollout and TCDT for the STS-132 mission to the International Space Station are invited to cover the beginning of the move starting at 12:01 a.m. until two hours following Atlantis' first motion. Viewing will only be available from Kennedy's Press Site property. There will be no availability to cover first motion from other locations. Live coverage of the move will be shown on NASA Television beginning at 6:30 a.m. Video highlights of the move will air on the NASA TV Video File. To attend rollout and the TCDT, international journalists must apply by 5 p.m. April 12 to allow time for processing. U.S. media representatives must apply by April 16. Media badges will be valid for both activities. Reporters requesting accreditation must apply online at: https://media.ksc.nasa.gov Badges for the events may be picked up on April 19 at 4 p.m., at the Kennedy Space Center Badging Office on State Road 405. On April 19, international media must arrive at the Kennedy Pass and Identification Building on State Road 3 before 11 p.m. for transportation to the Press Site for Atlantis' rollout. This will be the only pick-up opportunity due to limited staffing. Reporters will be returned to their vehicles two hours after the start of the move. On April 20, there will be a 6:30 a.m. photo opportunity, followed by an 8:30 a.m. interview availability with Atlantis Flow Director Angie Brewer. Reporters must arrive at Kennedy's news center by 6 a.m. for transportation to the viewing area. Foreign media must arrive at the Kennedy Space Center Badging Office on State Road 405 at 5:30 a.m. for transportation to the Press Site. Atlantis' astronauts and ground crews will participate in the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test related training starting April 20. TCDT provides each shuttle crew with an opportunity to participate in various simulated countdown activities, including equipment familiarization and emergency training. Media events associated with the test and badge pickup information will be announced at a later date. The six astronauts for Atlantis' STS-132 mission will deliver an Integrated Cargo Carrier and the Russian-built Mini Research Module-1 to the International Space Station. Launch is targeted for May 14 at 2:19 p.m. EDT. For NASA TV downlink information, schedules and links to streaming video, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/ntv For more information about the STS-132 mission and crew, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts132/index.html -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
