Jun 23 2017

From The Space Library

MEDIA ADVISORY M17-076 Media Accreditation Open for Launch of NASA’s Newest Communications Satellite

Media accreditation is open for the launch of NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS)-M. Liftoff on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida is targeted for 9:02 a.m. EDT Aug. 3, at the opening of a 40-minute launch window.

Media prelaunch and launch activities will take place at the Air Force station and nearby at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.

All media accreditation requests should be submitted online. Deadlines for accreditation are as follows:

• International media without U.S. citizenship must apply by 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 27, for access to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and Kennedy.
• International media without U.S. citizenship must apply by 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 19, for access to Kennedy only.
• U.S. media must apply by 4:30 p.m. Friday, July 21, for access to both locations.

Questions about accreditation may be sent to ksc-media-accreditat@mail.nasa.gov. For other questions or additional information, contact Kennedy’s newsroom at 321-867-2468.

The addition of TDRS-M to the fleet will provide NASA’s Space Network the ability to support space communication for an additional 15 years. The network consists of TDRS satellites that transmit data to and from ground stations on Earth for NASA missions and expendable launch vehicles. The Space Network allows scientists, engineers and control room staff to readily access data from missions like the Hubble Space Telescope and the International Space Station.

Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems of El Segundo, California, built TDRS-M. NASA's Space Communications and Navigation Program, a part of the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington, is responsible for the TDRS network. Launch management of the Atlas V launch service for TDRS-M is the responsibility of the mission directorate's Launch Services Program at Kennedy.