Jun 14 2011
From The Space Library
MEDIA ADVISORY: M11-121 NASA SPACECRAFT TO MAKE CROSS COUNTRY VOYAGE
WASHINGTON -- NASA is inviting the public to view a test version of the agency's next spacecraft that will carry humans into deep space. The Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle, which NASA announced last month would be the agency's deep space crew module based on the original work on the Orion capsule, will make three stops as it travels by truck from NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center in California to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The planned stops are June 15-16 at the Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson, Ariz.; June 19-20 at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin, Texas; and June 24-25 at the Tallahassee Challenger Learning Center in Florida. The module also will be on display June 29-July 4 at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. During a test flight in New Mexico last year, a new launch abort system propelled the spacecraft off the launch pad to a speed of almost 445 mph in three seconds. The spacecraft then parachuted to the desert floor. The test module eventually will be moved to Kennedy's Operations and Checkout Facility for further study. The Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle's propulsion, life support, thermal protection and avionics systems ultimately will enable astronauts to travel for extended deep space missions and return safely to Earth.
RELEASE: 11-160 NASA ANNOUNCES TWEETUP FOR FINAL SPACE SHUTTLE LAUNCH
WASHINGTON -- NASA will give 150 of its Twitter followers a front-row seat at the historic final space shuttle launch. The agency's fifth shuttle launch Tweetup is scheduled July 7-8 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Shuttle Atlantis is targeted to lift off from Kennedy on its mission to the International Space Station at about 11:40 a.m. EDT on July 8. The official launch date will be announced after a Flight Readiness Review meeting on June 28. Those selected to participate in the Tweetup will tour the center, view the shuttle launch and speak with NASA managers, astronauts, shuttle technicians and engineers from across the agency. "Inviting people to attend the last shuttle launch and share it with their friends, family and followers is one way NASA can enable more people to experience this historic event," said Stephanie Schierholz, social media manager at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "While the Space Shuttle Program is drawing to a close, the NASA Tweetup also will give our followers a broader view of the agency's diverse activities." Tweetup registration opens at noon on Wednesday, June 1, and closes at noon on June 2. NASA will randomly select the 150 participants.
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