NASA Sets Media Events for OCO-2 Launch from California

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Jun 16, 2014, 03:36 ET

WASHINGTON, June 16, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The launch of NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 mission (OCO-2) at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California is scheduled for Tuesday, July 1. Liftoff from Space Launch Complex 2 aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket is targeted for 5:56 a.m. EDT (2:56 a.m. PDT) at the opening of a 30-second launch window.

OCO-2 is NASA's first mission dedicated to studying atmospheric carbon dioxide, the leading human-produced greenhouse gas driving changes in Earth's climate. OCO-2 will provide a new tool for understanding the human and natural sources of carbon dioxide emissions and the natural "sinks" that absorb carbon dioxide and help control its buildup.

The OCO-2 and Delta II News Center at the NASA Vandenberg Resident Office will open Thursday, June 26. To speak with a NASA communications specialist, call 805-605-3051 beginning at that time. A recorded launch status report also will be available by dialing 805-734-2693.

Prelaunch and launch activities will take place June 29 through July 1. U.S. journalists should fax their accreditation requests on news organization letterhead to Tech Sgt. Vincent Mouzon, 30th Space Wing Public Affairs Office at Vandenberg, at 805-606-4571, or email [email protected]. Information required must include full legal name, date of birth and media affiliation. A legal photo identification will be required upon arrival at Vandenberg.

A prelaunch news conference and mission briefing will be held from 7-9 p.m. EDT (4-6 p.m. PDT) Sunday, June 29 in the NASA Vandenberg Resident Office. The briefings will be carried live on NASA Television and streamed on NASA.gov with question-and-answer capability available from other NASA field centers. Media also can post questions via Twitter by using the hashtag #AskNASA during the briefings.

On launch day, NASA TV coverage and countdown commentary will begin at 3:45 a.m. EDT (12:45 a.m. PDT). Spacecraft separation from the rocket occurs 56 minutes 15 seconds after launch. A post-launch news conference with OCO-2 mission officials will be held approximately two-and-a-half hours after launch.

Live countdown coverage also will be available online. Launch updates will begin on NASA's launch blog at 3:45 a.m. EDT (12:45 a.m. PDT). Coverage features real-time updates of countdown milestones, as well as streaming video clips highlighting launch preparations and liftoff. To view the launch blog, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/oco2

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

http://www.nasa.gov/nasatv

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California is responsible for project management of OCO-2. Orbital Sciences Corp. built the OCO-2 spacecraft. NASA's Launch Services Program at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida provides launch management. United Launch Alliance of Centennial, Colorado, is NASA's launch service provider for the Delta II rocket.

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SOURCE NASA