NASA Invites Media to Capture Mobile Launcher Move to Launch Pad 39B

[ksc@nasa.gov]

	October 09, 2020  MEDIA ADVISORY M020-14 NASA Invites Media to Capture Mobile Launcher Move to Launch Pad 39B ksc-20191220-ph-jbs01_0100_orig.jpg NASA’s mobile launcher, carried atop the crawler-transporter 2, returns to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) on Dec. 20, 2019, after spending months at Launch Pad 39B undergoing final validation and verification testing at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Credits: NASA/Ben Smegelsky Journalists are invited to capture sunrise images of the mobile launcher approaching Launch Pad 39B for additional operations in preparation for Artemis I at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Tuesday, Oct. 20. NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems (EGS) is taking advantage of the available time before stacking operations begin and will roll the mobile launcher out to pad 39B to practice tasks ahead of wet dress rehearsal and launch next year. EGS and contractor Jacobs teams will take the mobile launcher atop crawler-transporter 2 to the pad to conduct a timing demonstration of activities that occur late in the launch countdown. Practicing laser alignment with targets on the mobile launcher, rehearsing a timely completion of removing platforms used to access SLS core stage engines, and positioning both side flame deflectors and extensible columns is critical to support an on-time launch. These tasks have been rehearsed individually; the additional time allows the team to simulate the sequence altogether.  While at the pad, the team also will complete a thorough top to bottom washdown, removing any FOD, or foreign object debris, as an added safety measure in addition to the walk downs performed prior to launch. Media accreditation deadline is Oct. 15, 2020, and will be limited to U.S. citizens only. NASA continues to monitor the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, and a limited number of media will be granted access to Kennedy in order to protect the health and safety of media and employees. The agency will follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the agency’s chief health and medical officer, and will immediately communicate any updates that may impact media access for these activities. All media accreditation requests should be submitted online at: https://media.ksc.nasa.gov For questions about media accreditation, email ksc-media-accreditat@mail.nasa.gov. For other questions, contact Kennedy’s newsroom at 321-867-2468. For more information about Exploration Ground Systems, visit: www.nasa.gov/groundsystems For more information about the Artemis, visit: www.nasa.gov/artemis -end-
	Press Contacts Laura Aguiar Kennedy Space Center, Fla. Laura.Aguiar@nasa.gov (321) 593-6245 Brittney Thorpe Kennedy Space Center, Fla. Brittney.Thorpe@nasa.gov (321) 289-0677
	NASA Kennedy Space Center news releases and other information are available automatically by sending an e-mail message with the subject line subscribe to ksc-request@newsletters.nasa.gov. To unsubscribe, send an e-mail message with the subject line unsubscribe to ksc-request@newsletters.nasa.gov.