NASA Announces Events For Shuttle Discovery Departure

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., April 3, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Events and operating hours for the Press Site at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla., are set for space shuttle Discovery's departure. A NASA Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA), a modified 747 jet, will transport Discovery to Washington Dulles International Airport in Sterling, Va., on Tuesday, April 17.

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Journalists are invited to cover the following events (all times are EDT):

Tuesday, April 10
5:30 p.m. SCA arrival at Shuttle Landing Facility
-- Arrive at Press Site by 4 p.m. for 4:30 p.m. departure

Wednesday, April 11
9-11 a.m. Tour of SCA and interview opportunity with pilots and crew
-- Arrive at Press Site by 8 a.m. for 8:30 a.m. departure

12:10-3 p.m. Interview opportunities with United Space Alliance employees involved with shuttle transition and retirement and shuttle/SCA mate and demate operations
-- Arrive at Press Site by 11:40 a.m. for 11:55 a.m. departure

Saturday, April 14
5 a.m.-6 p.m. Discovery roll out from Vehicle Assembly Building's high bay 4 to Shuttle Landing Facility Mate/Demate Device.

SCA/Discovery mating operations through 7 p.m.
-- Arrive at Press Site by 3:30 a.m. for 4 a.m. departure

Monday, April 16
7:30 a.m. SCA/Discovery back out of mate/demate device photo opportunity
7:30-10:45 a.m. Interview opportunity with STS-133 crew members and space shuttle transition and retirement managers
-- Arrive at Press Site by 6:15 a.m. for 6:30 departure

Tuesday, April 17
Discovery departs at first light (approximately 7 a.m.)

4:45 a.m. Buses begin departing for Shuttle Landing Facility Mid-point

6:45 a.m. NASA TV live coverage of shuttle Discovery's departure

7-9 a.m. Interview opportunities with STS-133 crew members at Shuttle Landing Facility Mid-point

Any updates on departure media activities will be available at 321-867-2525.

Media Accreditation
U.S. journalists wanting to cover the arrival of the SCA must apply for credentials by Friday, April 6. Accreditation for international news media for the arrival is closed.

To cover Discovery's departure on Tuesday, April 17, the deadline for international journalists is Monday, April 9. For U.S. journalists, the deadline is Monday, April 16.

Media representatives must apply for credentials online at:

https://media.ksc.nasa.gov

Kennedy Press Site Office Hours for Discovery Departure Activities
Times may be adjusted in real-time depending on events and timelines.

Tuesday, April 10: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Wednesday, April 11: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 12: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Friday, April 13: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 14: 3:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
Sunday, April 15: Closed
Monday, April 16: 5:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 17: 4 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Kennedy Press Accreditation Office Hours
Tuesday, April 10: Noon-4 p.m.
Wednesday, April 11: 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Thursday, April 12: 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Friday, April 13: 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Saturday, April 14: 3 a.m.-9 a.m.
Sunday, April 15: Closed
Monday, April 16: 5 a.m.-1 p.m.
Tuesday, April 17: 3:30 a.m.-5:30 a.m.

After arriving at Washington Dulles, Discovery will be removed from the SCA and moved to the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va. for permanent public display on Thursday, April 19.

For more information on the preparations of shuttle orbiters for public display, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/transition

SOURCE NASA