Media are invited to photo and interview opportunities at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida to view ongoing work related to NASA’s Orion spacecraft and Ground Systems that will support the preparations for its flight.
On Tuesday, Jan. 21, at 8 a.m. EST, journalists will visit Kennedy's mobile launcher, crawler transporter-2 and Launch Pad 39 B, currently being modified by the Ground Systems Development and Operations Program. Media must be at Kennedy's press site by 7:30 a.m. for transportation to the sites.
On Wednesday, Jan. 22, at 8 a.m., journalists will visit the facility where Orion is being prepared for its first launch, Exploration Flight Test-1 (EFT-1). Media must be at Kennedy's press site by 7:30 a.m. for transportation to the site.
The uncrewed EFT-1 flight later this year will take Orion to an altitude of approximately 3,600 miles above the Earth’s surface, farther into space than any human spacecraft has gone in more than 40 years. EFT-1 data will influence design decisions, validate existing computer models and innovative new approaches to space systems development, as well as reduce overall mission risks and costs. By flying Orion out to those distances, NASA will be able to see how Orion performs in and returns from deep-space journeys.
NASA officials will be available for interviews at all locations.
News media badges for the scheduled Jan. 23 Tracking and Data Relay Satellite-L launch will be honored for the event. Badges for the events may be picked up at the Kennedy Space Center Badging Office on State Road 405 from 6 a.m. to noon on Tuesday and from 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday.
Kennedy manages the Ground Systems Development and Operations Program, which is preparing to process and launch the next-generation vehicles and spacecraft designed to achieve NASA's goals for space exploration.
In a revamped area of the Operations and Checkout Building, NASA employees and Lockheed Martin contractors are working side by side to prepare Orion for Exploration Flight Test-1 next year. Orion is designed to take U.S. astronauts farther into space than ever before.
For more information about the Ground Systems Development and Operations Program at Kennedy, visit:
http://go.nasa.gov/groundsystems
For more information about the Orion program, visit:
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Amber Philman
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468
amber.n.philman@nasa.gov
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