[meteorite-list] NASA Sets Media Coverage for Saucer-Shaped Test Vehicle Flight in Hawaii

[Ron Baalke]

May 29, 2014
     
NASA Sets Media Coverage for Saucer-Shaped Test Vehicle Flight in Hawaii

NASA's Low-Density Supersonic Decelerator (LDSD) project will fly a 
rocket-powered, saucer-shaped test vehicle into near-space next week from the 
U.S. Navy's Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kauai, Hawaii. Several events 
are planned for reporters who would like to cover this unique space 
technology engineering test flight.

On Monday, June 2, reporters who have previously received access clearance 
from the U.S. Navy are invited to the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) 
in Kauai to attend a news conference about the test. After the televised 
briefing at 8 a.m. HST, reporters in attendance will be offered a 
behind-the-scenes tour of the facility and LDSD operations. Reporters 
planning to attend the Monday briefing must arrive at PMRF no later than 7 
a.m. for escort onto the facility.

Journalists unable to attend can participate in the briefing via 
teleconference and should contact David Steitz at david.steitz at nasa.gov 
or 202-236-5829 for dial-in information.

Briefing panelists include:
-- U.S. Navy Capt. Bruce Hay, PMRF Commanding Officer
-- Mike Gazarik, Associate Administrator of the Space Technology Mission 
Directorate at NASA Headquarters, Washington
--Mark Adler, LDSD Project Manager at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) 
in Pasadena, California
--Ian Clark, LDSD principal investigator at JPL

Gazarik will be available for live television interviews from midnight - 6 
a.m. (6 a.m. - noon EDT) Monday. To reserve an interview time and get 
satellite coordinates, media should contact David Steitz.

NASA has identified six potential dates for launch of the high-altitude 
balloon carrying the LDSD experiment: June 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13. Decisions 
to attempt launch of the LDSD test will be made the day before each launch 
opportunity date. NASA will issue launch advisories via the mission website, 
media advisories and on Twitter at:

https://twitter.com/NASA_Technology 

and

https://twitter.com/NASA 

On launch attempt days, journalists are invited to PMRF to watch the liftoff 
and flight of the balloon carrying the LDSD. The June 3 launch window extends 
from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. HST.

After the balloon launch, reporters will be able to watch flight events as 
they unfold on monitors at the LDSD media center located in the PMRF hanger. 
Reporters must arrive each balloon launch attempt day no later than 7 a.m. 
for escort onto the base. Journalists should follow the LDSD mission website 
for daily launch window dates and times.

NASA's LDSD carries several onboard cameras. It is expected that video of 
selected portions of the test, including the rocket-powered ascent, will be 
downlinked and streamed live to several NASA websites. Reporters not 
attending can watch the balloon launch and subsequent test on NASA TV, or on 
the web at:

http://www.nasa.gov/nasatv 

and

http://www.ustream.tv/nasajpl2 

Live commentary is expected to begin at 7:45 a.m. HST (1:45 p.m. EDT). For 
NASA TV streaming video, downlink and updated scheduling information, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/nasatv 

After the balloon reaches an altitude of 120,000 feet, the rocket-powered 
test vehicle will be dropped. Seconds later, its motor will fire, carrying it 
to 180,000 feet and as fast as Mach 4. LDSD carries several onboard cameras. 
It is expected that video of selected portions, including the rocket-powered 
ascent, will be downlinked live and streamed live to NASA TV and online.

More information about the LDSD space technology demonstration mission is 
online at:

http://go.usa.gov/kzZQ 

NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate funds the LDSD mission, a 
cooperative effort led by JPL. NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in 
Huntsville, Alabama, manages LDSD within the Technology Demonstration Mission 
Program Office. NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Wallops Island, Virginia, 
is coordinating support with the Pacific Missile Range Facility and providing 
the balloon systems for the LDSD test.

For more information about the Space Technology Mission Directorate, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/spacetech 

-end-

David Steitz
Headquarters, Washington
202-236-5829
david.steitz at nasa.gov 

DC Agle
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.
818-393-9011
agle at jpl.nasa.gov 

Stefan Alford
Pacific Missile Range Facility, Kauai, Hawaii
808-335-4740
stefan.alford at navy.mil