NASA Sets TDRS-K/Atlas V Launch Events Coverage

Jan. 11, 2013

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

George H. 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: M13-013

NASA SETS TDRS-K/ATLAS V LAUNCH EVENTS COVERAGE

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- News conferences, events and operating hours
for the Press Site at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida are set
for the launch of Tracking and Data Relay Satellite-K (TDRS-K) aboard
an Atlas V rocket Tuesday, Jan. 29. The 40-minute launch window
extends from 8:52 to 9:32 p.m. EST. Liftoff will occur from Space
Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
Launch commentary coverage, as well as prelaunch media briefings, will
be carried live on NASA Television and the agency's website.

TDRS-K is the first of three next-generation communications satellites
designed to ensure vital operational continuity for NASA. The seven
TDRS spacecraft currently in orbit 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 growing S-band communications requirements.

On Monday, Jan. 28, NASA TV will carry the TDRS-K prelaunch news
conference and mission science briefing live beginning at 1 p.m.

On Jan. 29, NASA TV launch coverage begins at 6:15 p.m., and concludes
after the TDRS-K spacecraft has separated from the Atlas V, which
occurs one hour, 46 minutes after launch.

A post-launch news release will be issued as soon as the
state-of-health of the TDRS-K spacecraft is known. No post-launch
news conference is scheduled.

Detailed lists of countdown milestones, news briefing times and
participants, and hours of operation for Kennedy's Press Site and
media credentialing office are available at:

http://go.nasa.gov/VUuaRk

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 Goddard
Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., manages the TDRS spacecraft
project. NASA's Launch Services Program at Kennedy Space Center is
responsible for launch management. United Launch Alliance provides
the Atlas V rocket and launch service.

For NASA TV streaming video, scheduling and downlink information,
visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

To join the conversation about TDRS-K on Twitter, follow @NASA_TDRS
and the hashtag #TDRS. To learn more about all of the ways to connect
and collaborate with NASA, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/connect

Follow TDRS-K on Facebook at:

https://www.facebook.com/NASA.TDRS

To learn more about TDRS-K, follow prelaunch activities and live
countdown coverage on NASA's Launch Blog, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/tdrs


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