NASA Offers News Media Access to TDRS-K Spacecraft Jan. 11

Jan. 8, 2013

Joshua Buck
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1100
jbuck@nasa.gov

George Diller
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468
george.h.diller@nasa.gov

Dewayne Washington
Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.
301-286-0040
dewayne.a.washington@nasa.gov

MEDIA ADVISORY: M13-007

NASA OFFERS NEWS MEDIA ACCESS TO TDRS-K SPACECRAFT JAN. 11

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellite-K
(TDRS-K), set to launch this month, will be the focus of a media
opportunity at 10 a.m. EST Friday, Jan. 11, at the Astrotech Space
Operations facility in Titusville, Fla. Media representatives will be
able to photograph the TDRS-K spacecraft and interview project and
launch program officials.

The spacecraft is the first of three next generation satellites
designed to ensure vital operational continuity for NASA by expanding
the lifespan of the fleet, which consists of 7 satellites in
geostationary orbit. The spacecraft provide tracking, telemetry,
command, and high bandwidth data return services for numerous science
and human exploration missions orbiting Earth. These include NASA's
Hubble Space Telescope and the International Space Station. TDRS-K
has a high-performance solar panel designed for more spacecraft power
to meet the growing S-band communications requirements.

Spokespersons representing NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in
Greenbelt, Md.; the Launch Services Program at the agency's Kennedy
Space Center in Florida; and United Space Alliance will be available
for questions and interviews.

Full clean room attire must be worn and will be furnished. Journalists
should not wear perfume, cologne or makeup. Long pants and closed-toe
shoes must be worn. No shorts or skirts will be permitted.
Contamination control specialists may identify some camera equipment
to be cleaned before taken into the high bay facility. Alcohol wipes
will be provided. All camera equipment must be self-contained and no
portable lights can be allowed. Flash photography will not be
permitted; however, the facility has adequate metal halide lighting
for pictures. Wireless microphones also are prohibited inside the
high bay.

On Jan. 11, U.S. news media representatives may proceed directly to
Astrotech, which is located in the Spaceport Florida Industrial Park,
1515 Chaffee Drive, Titusville. Access will be available starting at
9:45 a.m., and the event will begin at 10 a.m.

Only news media who are United States citizens may attend this event.
A government issued photo identification, such as a driver's license
or permanently-issued NASA news media accreditation badge from
Kennedy will be acceptable. In addition, proof of U.S. citizenship
such as a passport or birth certificate also is required.

TDRS-K is scheduled to liftoff aboard an Atlas V 401 rocket from Cape
Canaveral Air Force Station on Jan. 29 in a launch window that
extends from 8:52 to 9:32 p.m. EST.

Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems in El Segundo, Calif., built the
TDRS-K. NASA's Space Communications and Navigation Program, part of
the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate at NASA
Headquarters in Washington, is responsible for the TDRS network.
NASA's Launch Services Program at Kennedy is responsible for launch
management. United Launch Alliance provides the Atlas V rocket and
launch service.

Media representatives should call Kennedy's media update phone line at
321-867-2525 on Thursday evening to confirm the event is on schedule.


For more information about TDRS-K, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/tdrs


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