Next SpaceX Commercial Cargo Launch Targeted for Mid-July, NASA Opens Media Accreditation

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May 23, 2016, 05:53 ET

WASHINGTON, May 23, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Media accreditation now is open for the next SpaceX commercial cargo resupply services mission to the International Space Station, targeted for launch no earlier than approximately 1:32 a.m. EDT Saturday, July 16.

An uncrewed SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, carrying crew supplies and station hardware, will lift off on a Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS), adjacent to NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

This is the ninth mission by SpaceX under NASA's Commercial Resupply Services contract. Among the supplies, equipment and science research Dragon will carry is the first of two international docking adapters, which will allow Boeing's CST-100 Starliner and SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft to dock to the station when transporting astronauts in the near future as part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program.

Media prelaunch and launch activities will take place at CCAFS and at Kennedy. The deadline for international media to apply for access to CCAFS is 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 14. The deadline to apply for media access to Kennedy is 5 p.m. July 4 for non-citizens, and 5 p.m. July 8 for U.S. citizens.

All media accreditation requests must be submitted online at:
https://media.ksc.nasa.gov

International media are required to include a scanned copy of their visa and passport or green card when submitting their online accreditation request.

All media representatives must present two forms of unexpired legal, government identification to access Kennedy. One form must include a photo, such as a passport or driver's license. Questions about accreditation should be directed to Jennifer Horner at [email protected] or 321-867-6598. For additional information, contact the Kennedy newsroom at 321-867-2468.

For launch countdown coverage, NASA's launch blog, and more information about the mission, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/spacex

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SOURCE NASA