NASA Teleconference to Replace Televised Dawn Mission Briefing

June 25, 2007

Dwayne Brown
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1726

MEDIA ADVISORY: M07-72

NASA TELECONFERENCE TO REPLACE TELEVISED DAWN MISSION BRIEFING

WASHINGTON - NASA has scheduled a media teleconference at 2:30 p.m.
EDT, Tuesday, June 26, in place of the previously planned media
science briefing about the Dawn mission. Dawn will explore the two
largest objects in the asteroid belt in an effort to answer questions
about the formation of our solar system.

Mission managers will discuss several issues that need to be resolved
before Dawn's July 7-11 launch window. The briefing participants are:

-- Todd May, deputy associate administrator for programs, Science
Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters, Washington

-- Jim Adams, deputy director, Planetary Science Division, Science
Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters, Washington

Media interested in participating in the teleconference should call
888-398-6118. The passcode is "Dawn." Reporters who want to listen
only may call 321-867-1220, 1240 or 1260.

Live audio of the teleconference will be streamed at:

http://www.nasa.gov/newsaudio

For more information about NASA and agency programs, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov

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Shuttle Atlantis Crew Returns Home After Successful Mission

June 22, 2007

John Yembrick
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-0602

George Diller
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468

RELEASE: 07-142

SHUTTLE ATLANTIS CREW RETURNS HOME AFTER SUCCESSFUL MISSION

EDWARDS, Calif. -- The space shuttle Atlantis and its crew are home
after completing a 14-day journey of more than 5.8 million miles in
space. Atlantis' STS-117 mission successfully increased the power
capability of the International Space Station, preparing for the
future delivery of European and Japanese laboratories.

Atlantis' Commander Rick Sturckow, Pilot Lee Archambault and mission
specialists Jim Reilly, Patrick Forrester, Steven Swanson, John
"Danny" Olivas and Sunita Williams landed at Edwards Air Force Base,
Calif., Friday at 3:49 p.m. EDT.

Atlantis' crew attached the new S3/S4 solar array truss segment on the
right side of the station's backbone, deployed a new set of solar
arrays, and retracted the Port 6 starboard solar array back into its
box. The station has a new look with two symmetrical solar panels
mounted on each end of the station's truss.

Reilly, Olivas, Swanson and Forrester, with the help of crewmates,
made four spacewalks to complete the construction tasks. They
activated the truss segment and the Solar Alpha Rotary Joint, which
allows the new arrays to track the sun, and helped fold the Port 6
array. During the third spacewalk, the crew repaired a 4-by-6 inch
raised corner of a thermal blanket on the port side Orbital
Maneuvering System pod. Aerodynamic forces during Atlantis' ascent
lifted the blanket.

While the crew worked in space, ground teams were troubleshooting a
problem with Russian computers that help control the station's
attitude. Russian specialists worked closely with teams in the United
States to recover the computer capabilities.

NASA astronaut and station Flight Engineer Clayton Anderson, who
launched with the crew aboard Atlantis, remained on the station. He
is scheduled to return home aboard space shuttle Discovery on a
mission targeted for launch in October. Anderson replaced Williams,
who set a new record for a single, long-duration spaceflight by a
woman with 195 days. She arrived at the station in December 2006
aboard space shuttle Discovery.

STS-117 was the 118th space shuttle flight, the 21st flight to the
station, the 28th flight for Atlantis and the first of four missions
planned for 2007.

Several inspections in orbit revealed no critical damage, and
Atlantis' thermal protection system was declared safe for re-entry on
flight day 13. Weather concerns prevented the crew from returning to
NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla., the primary end-of-mission landing
site. In 7-10 days, Atlantis will be transported approximately 2,500
miles from California to Florida on the back of a modified 747 jumbo
jet. Once at Kennedy, Atlantis will be separated from the aircraft to
begin immediate processing for its next flight, targeted for December
2007.

With Atlantis and its crew safely home, the stage is set for the next
phase of International Space Station assembly. Preparations continue
for space shuttle Endeavour's launch, targeted for August, on the
STS-118 mission to deliver the S5 truss segment to the station.

For more on the STS-117 mission and the upcoming STS-118 mission,
visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

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NASA Awards Payload Processing Contract

June 22, 2007

Katherine Trinidad
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-3749

George Diller
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468

CONTRACT RELEASE: C07-26

NASA AWARDS PAYLOAD PROCESSING CONTRACT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA's Launch Services Program has awarded a
pair of indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contracts to
Astrotech Space Operations in Titusville, Fla., and Spaceport Systems
International in Colorado Springs, Colo. The companies will provide
the necessary facilities to perform payload processing services for
NASA missions launching from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. The
aggregate value of available firm-fixed-price orders under the two
contracts could be worth up to $35 million over a maximum of four
years, which includes two 1-year options.

Astrotech and Spaceport Systems International will use their
respective Vandenberg facilities to support the final assembly of
spacecraft and encapsulate them before they are taken to the launch
pad. While processing requirements differ depending on the spacecraft
and mission, they usually include final assembly and testing,
integration with a third stage or adapter, propellant loading and
spin balancing. Such tasks typically begin about three months before
the scheduled launch.

Astrotech is a subsidiary of SPACEHAB, Inc., Webster, Texas, and
operates payload processing facilities in Titusville and at
Vandenberg. The company was incorporated in 1984 as a commercial
launch payload processor.

Spaceport Systems International is in partnership with ITT
Corporation, White Plains, N.Y. The company's facilities are used to
process payloads for NASA and commercial interests.

For information about NASA and agency programs, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov

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Simulated Trip to Mars Is Planned

Simulated Trip to Mars Is Planned from PhysOrg.com

(AP) -- If you have planetary vision, want to be on the cutting edge and don't get bored easily, the European Space Agency may be looking for you. It is looking for 12 volunteers for a simulated mission to Mars that will last up to 520 days in "extreme isolation and confinement."[...]

NASA Trying Again to Land Space Shuttle

NASA Trying Again to Land Space Shuttle from PhysOrg.com

(AP) -- NASA managers said they plan to land the space shuttle Atlantis safely Friday, but the weather would determine the time and location.[...]

Moon jobs will tax mental health of workers

Moon jobs will tax mental health of workers from PhysOrg.com

Think your job is tough? Can’t wait for summer vacation to “get away from it all”? Just wait, says a Rutgers University—Camden researcher. In the not-too-distant future, some jobs will challenge workers placed far, far away from it all. On the moon, in fact.[...]

NASA Authorizes Contract for Ares I Materials

June 21, 2007

Beth Dickey/Melissa Mathews
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-2087/1272

Kim Newton
Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala.
256-544-0034
CONTRACT RELEASE: C07-25

NASA AUTHORIZES CONTRACT FOR ARES I MATERIALS

WASHINGTON -- NASA has authorized a contract with a maximum value of
$16.7 million with Alcoa North American Rolled Products of
Bettendorf, Iowa, to supply aluminum lithium plates and metal ingots
for early development of the Ares I crew launch vehicles upper stage.
The firm fixed-price contract has a period of performance through
Aug. 5, 2008.

Ares I is an in-line, two-stage rocket that will transport to low
Earth orbit the Orion crew exploration vehicle containing up to six
astronauts. The first stage will consist of a single reusable solid
rocket booster similar to those used on the space shuttle, with an
additional fifth segment. The second, or upper, stage will consist of
a J-2X main engine fueled by liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen
propellants.

For information about NASA's Constellation Program, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/constellation

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NASA Announces Space Shuttle Atlantis Landing Times for Friday

June 21, 2007

John Yembrick
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-0602

George Diller
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468

MEDIA ADVISORY: M07-71

NASA ANNOUNCES SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS LANDING TIMES FOR FRIDAY

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Atlantis' crew members are
spending an extra day in orbit after weather Thursday at the prime
landing site at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla., prevented them
from coming home.

The crew will have several opportunities to land Atlantis on Friday:
two at Kennedy and three at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. The
landing times are approximate and subject to change. All times are
EDT:

Primary landing site: Kennedy Space Center
2:18 p.m. landing (de-orbit burn at 1:16 p.m.)
3:54 p.m. landing (de-orbit burn at 2:52 p.m.)

Backup landing site: Edwards Air Force Base
3:49 p.m. landing (de-orbit burn at 2:46 p.m.)
5:24 p.m. landing (de-orbit burn at 4:21 p.m.)
6:59 p.m. landing (de-orbit burn at 5:58 p.m.)

If needed, there are additional landing opportunities Saturday at all
three of the space shuttle's landing sites: Kennedy, Edwards and
White Sands Space Harbor, N.M.

For more on the STS-117 mission, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

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NASA Prepares for Performing New Science on the Moon

June 21, 2007

Dwayne Brown
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1726

RELEASE: 07-141

NASA PREPARES FOR PERFORMING NEW SCIENCE ON THE MOON

WASHINGTON -- NASA has selected proposals for future lunar science
activities and established two new programs that will enhance
research made possible by the Vision for Space Exploration.

The proposals and programs are part of an effort by NASA to develop
new opportunities to conduct important science investigations during
the planned renewal of human exploration of the moon.

In a highly competitive selection, NASA chose seven proposals from
more than 70 submissions under the Lunar Sortie Science Opportunities
(LSSO) Program. These newly funded efforts in the space science
community will complement two new programs established in the Science
Mission Directorate's Planetary Sciences Division at NASA
Headquarters in Washington: the Lunar Advanced Science and
Exploration Research (LASER) Program and the Lunar Reconnaissance
Orbiter (LRO) Participating Scientist Program.

The seven selected proposals will result in advanced development for
simple, autonomous instrument packages deployed on the lunar surface
by astronauts. Such "suitcase science" packages could open up a wide
variety of research applications regarding the moon and the lunar
environment.

Some of the funded efforts will help scientists understand the lunar
dust that creates problems for astronauts on the moon. Other studies
will provide a better understanding of the moon's interior, look for
natural resources on the lunar surface and use lasers to provide
precise information about the position of the moon and its features.

"The proposals we received show that the scientific community is
excited about the opportunity to capitalize on the nation's planned
lunar outpost. The moon has much to teach us about itself, the
history of our solar system, and even the history of the sun. In the
future, more and more scientists will be able to participate in lunar
research as we focus attention on Earth's fascinating satellite,"
said Alan Stern, associate administrator for NASA's Science Mission
Directorate.

Selected proposals are:

-- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., William Banerdt,
Principal Investigator (PI) "Autonomous Lunar Geophysical Experiment
Package"

-- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., Slava Turyshev (PI)
"Lunar Laser Transponder and Retroreflector Science"

-- Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md., Daniel Glavin (PI)
"Volatile Analysis by Pyrolysis of Regolith on the Moon using Mass
Spectrometry"

-- Goddard Space Flight Center, Patrick Taylor (PI) "Seismology and
Heat flow instrument package for Lunar Science and Hazards"

-- Southwest Research Institute, Boulder, Colo., Donald Hassler (PI)
"Lunar Radiation Environment and Regolith Shielding Experiment"

-- U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Fort
Wainwright, Ark., Jerome Johnson (PI) "Lunar Suitcase Science: A
Lunar Regolith Characterization Kit"

-- Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corp., Boulder, Colo., Christian
Grund (PI) "Autonomous Lunar Dust Observer"

Under the planned LASER program, proposals will be solicited for
investigations to increase knowledge of the moon while also providing
necessary information for humans to live and work there. Studies may
include simulations and laboratory work to better understand the
lunar environment and its hazards, such as dust and radiation. The
program also will support analysis of existing lunar data, including
the Apollo and robotic mission data archives, and work to understand
the origin and evolution of the moon.

In the upcoming LRO Participating Scientist Program, NASA will select
researchers to perform detailed investigations using instruments
aboard the LRO spacecraft during its first years in lunar orbit.
Proposals for both programs are due Sept. 7, 2007.

LRO is NASA's next orbital mission to the moon. Launch is planned in
late 2008. It will orbit the moon for at least one year, providing
data to accelerate opportunities for future science missions and
human exploration.

Details on NASA's lunar research programs are available at:

http://www.nasa.gov/exploration

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NASA Briefing on Upcoming Launch of Asteroid Belt Mission

June 20, 2007

Dwayne Brown
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1726

DC Agle
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.
818-354-0474

MEDIA ADVISORY: M07-71

NASA BRIEFING ON UPCOMING LAUNCH OF ASTEROID BELT MISSION

WASHINGTON - NASA has scheduled a news briefing at 2 p.m. EDT,
Tuesday, June 26, to preview the July 7 launch of the asteroid
belt-bound Dawn mission. The briefing will be held in the NASA
Headquarters auditorium, 300 E St., S.W., Washington. It will air
live on NASA Television and be streamed on the agency's Internet
homepage at www.nasa.gov.

Dawn will launch aboard a Delta II rocket from Cape Canaveral, Fla.
The mission will investigate the asteroid belt's largest objects, the
asteroid Vesta and the dwarf planet Ceres.

Briefing participants are:
-- Jim Adams, deputy director, Planetary Science Division, NASA
Headquarters, Washington
-- Keyur Patel, Dawn project manager, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory
(JPL), Pasadena, Calif.
-- Chris Russell, Dawn principal investigator, University of
California, Los Angeles
-- Carol Raymond, Dawn deputy principal investigator, JPL
-- Marc Rayman, Dawn project systems engineer, JPL

Reporters at participating NASA centers will be able to ask questions.
For more information about NASA TV, streaming video, downlink and
schedule information, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

For information about NASA and agency programs, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov

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Another step toward a liquid telescope on the moon

Another step toward a liquid telescope on the moon from PhysOrg.com

An international team including researcher Ermanno Borra, from Université Laval’s Center for Optics, Photonics, and Laser, has taken another step toward building a liquid telescope on the moon. The researchers have found a combination of materials that allows the creation of a highly reflective liquid mirror capable of functioning even under harsh lunar conditions. The details of the discovery made by Borra and his colleagues will be published in the June 21 edition of Nature.

[...]

Hubble Images of Asteroids Help Astronomers Prepare for Spacecraft Visit

Hubble Images of Asteroids Help Astronomers Prepare for Spacecraft Visit from PhysOrg.com

Telescope images of Vesta and Ceres show two of the most massive asteroids in the asteroid belt, a region between Mars and Jupiter. The images are helping astronomers plan for the Dawn spacecraft's tour of these hefty asteroids.[...]

NASA Sets Briefings in July to Preview Next Shuttle Mission

June 20, 2007

Katherine Trinidad
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-3749

James Hartsfield
Johnson Space Center, Houston
281-483-5111

MEDIA ADVISORY: M07-70

NASA SETS BRIEFINGS IN JULY TO PREVIEW NEXT SHUTTLE MISSION

HOUSTON - NASA will discuss the next space shuttle mission, designated
STS-118, during a series of media briefings July 10-11 at NASA's
Johnson Space Center. The briefings will be broadcast live on NASA
Television. Questions also will be taken from participating NASA
centers.

The mission will feature the first flight of space shuttle Endeavour
since November 2002. STS-118 highlights include the addition of
another truss segment to the expanding station, the installation of a
new gyroscope on the complex and the addition of a spare parts
platform. The flight will have at least three spacewalks. It also
will debut a new system that enables docked shuttles to draw
electrical power from the station to extend visits to the outpost.

Veteran astronaut Scott Kelly will command the seven-person crew,
which includes Pilot Charles Hobaugh and mission specialists Tracy
Caldwell, Richard Mastracchio, Alvin Drew, Canadian Space Agency
astronaut Dave Williams, and Barbara Morgan, the first educator
selected as a mission specialist astronaut.

On the first day of briefings, managers and experts will provide
details of the mission. The second day of briefings will include an
interactive educational event featuring the STS-118 crew, the
Expedition 15 crew aboard the station and students and teachers at
Johnson. The second day also will include a press conference with
Endeavour's astronauts and a series of round-robin interviews with
individual crew members.

Media planning to participate in person or by phone in the round-robin
interviews must contact Gayle Frere in the Johnson newsroom at
281-483-5111 no later than 5 p.m. CDT Friday, July 6. Non-U.S. media
planning to attend the briefings, regardless of citizenship, must
contact the Johnson newsroom no later than 5 p.m. Friday, June 22, to
arrange credentials.

During the briefings, questions will be taken from media at Johnson
and other participating NASA sites. News media at the Canadian Space
Agency headquarters in St. Hubert, Quebec, Canada, also will
participate in the crew news conference.

The briefing schedule includes (all times CDT):

Tuesday, July 10:
8 a.m. -- Space Shuttle and Space Station Program overview briefing
9:30 a.m. -- Mission overview briefing
11 a.m. -- NASA TV Video File
1 p.m. -- Spacewalk overview briefing
2:30 p.m. -- NASA education briefing

Wednesday, July 11:
8 a.m. -- STS-118/Expedition 15 educational event (open to media)
1 p.m. -- STS-118 Crew news conference (photo opportunity follows)
2 p.m. -- Round-robin crew interviews (not on NASA TV)

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

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

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NASA Media Teleconference on Upcoming Climate, Ozone Expedition

June 20, 2007

Tabatha Thompson
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-3895

Jim Scott
University of Colorado, Boulder
303-492-3114

MEDIA ADVISORY: M07-68

NASA MEDIA TELECONFERENCE ON UPCOMING CLIMATE, OZONE EXPEDITION

WASHINGTON -- Scientists planning NASA's largest Earth science
expedition of the year will hold a media teleconference on Wednesday,
June 27, at 2 p.m. EDT to discuss the upcoming Tropical Composition,
Cloud and Climate Coupling (TC4) field campaign.

The TC4 study will tackle challenging questions about Earth's ozone
layer and climate using coordinated observations from satellites and
high-flying NASA airplanes. Researchers will study how chemical
compounds in the air are transported to the stratosphere, the area of
the atmosphere that contains most of Earth's ozone. They will
investigate how this vertical transport of water and chemicals
affects climate-influencing cirrus clouds, and the chemistry of the
upper atmosphere, of which ozone is an important component. The
campaign will be based out of San Jose, Costa Rica, starting in
mid-July.

Briefing participants are:

-- Michael Kurylo, TC4 program scientist, NASA Headquarters,
Washington
-- Hal Maring, TC4 program scientist, NASA Headquarters
-- David Starr, TC4 mission scientist, NASA Goddard Space Flight
Center, Greenbelt, Md.
-- Brian Toon, TC4 mission scientist, University of Colorado, Boulder

Media interested in participating in the teleconference should call
888 664-9853. The international toll number is 210 234-0004. The
passcode is "TC4." At the time of the teleconference, streaming audio
will be available at:

http://www.nasa.gov/newsaudio

Images and supporting data will be available during the teleconference
at:

http://www.nasa.gov/formedia

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NASA Plans Update to Discuss Station Lab Report

June 19, 2007

Katherine Trinidad
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-3749

MEDIA ADVISORY: M07-69

NASA PLANS UPDATE TO DISCUSS STATION LAB REPORT

WASHINGTON -- NASA has scheduled a media teleconference for Monday,
June 25, at 2 p.m. EDT to discuss a plan to use the U.S. segment of
the International Space Station as a national laboratory. In late
May, NASA sent Congress a report that outlined possible partnerships
with other government agencies and private companies to conduct
research aboard the station. The report will be posted on the
Internet at 9 a.m., June 25, at:

http://www.nasa.gov/station

The briefing participants are:
- Bill Gerstenmaier, associate administrator, Space Operations
- Mark Uhran, assistant associate administrator, International Space
Station

To participate, reporters should contact Katherine Trinidad by 5 p.m.
Friday. NASA will stream live audio of the event at:

http://www.nasa.gov/newsaudio

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Space Shuttle Atlantis Set to Land Thursday in Florida -- CORRECTED DATE

June 19, 2007

Katherine Trinidad
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-3749

George Diller
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468

MEDIA ADVISORY: M07-67

SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS SET TO LAND THURSDAY IN FLORIDA -- CORRECTED DATE

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - On Thursday, June 21, the space shuttle
Atlantis is scheduled to complete a 13-day mission to the
International Space Station with a landing in Florida. The STS-117
mission increased the station's power capability and delivered a new
station crew member.

NASA flight directors will evaluate weather conditions at NASA's
Kennedy Space Center, Fla., before permitting Atlantis to return to
Earth. Thursday's landing opportunities at Kennedy are at 1:54 p.m.
and 3:29 p.m. EDT. The backup landing sites at Edwards Air Force
Base, Calif., and White Sands Space Harbor, N.M., will not be
considered on Thursday.

Two hours after landing, NASA officials will hold a briefing to
discuss the STS-117 mission. The participants are:
- NASA Associate Administrator Rex Geveden
- NASA Associate Administrator for Space Operations Bill Gerstenmaier
- NASA Space Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach

After touchdown, the astronauts will undergo initial physical
examinations and meet with their families. Some crew members are
expected to hold a news conference six hours after returning to
Earth.

The Kennedy press site will open for landing activities at 8 a.m.
Thursday and close one hour after the crew news conference. The
STS-117 mission badges are in effect through landing. The press
accreditation building on State Road 3 will be open on Thursday from
8-11 a.m. The last bus will depart from the press site for the
Shuttle Landing Facility one hour before landing. For updated
information about the landing, call 321-867-2525.

If weather prevents a Kennedy landing Thursday, NASA will activate
backup landing sites for Friday. NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center
at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., has limited facilities available
to previously accredited journalists. For further information, call
Dryden Public Affairs Office at 661-276-3449.

If White Sands Space Harbor is called up for strong consideration as a
shuttle landing site, media desiring credentials to cover a landing
there should contact the White Sands Missile Range Public Affairs
Office at 505-678-1134. Journalists with STS-117 mission badges from
NASA will be issued credentials.

For the latest information on the STS-117 mission, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

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NASA and ESA Sign Agreements for Future Cooperation

June 18, 2007

Dwayne Brown/Michael Braukus
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1726/1979

RELEASE: 07-139

NASA AND ESA SIGN AGREEMENTS FOR FUTURE COOPERATION

PARIS -- At a ceremony held Monday at the International Paris Air Show
at Le Bourget, France, NASA Administrator Michael Griffin and
European Space Agency (ESA) Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain
signed two agreements defining the terms of cooperation on the James
Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and the Laser Interferometer Space
Antenna (LISA) Pathfinder mission.

Although it will operate over a different range of wavelengths, the
James Webb Space Telescope is considered the successor to the Hubble
Space Telescope. Its launch is targeted for 2013 and it will operate
for at least five years.

The telescope is a mission of international cooperation between NASA,
ESA and the Canadian Space Agency to investigate the origin and
evolution of galaxies, stars and planetary systems.

At the heart of the observatory is a large telescope, which has a
primary mirror measuring 21.3 feet in diameter (compared to 7.9 feet
for Hubble) that provides a relatively large field of view.

A set of four sophisticated instruments, including a fine guidance
sensor for precision pointing, will combine superb imaging capability
at visible and infrared wavelengths with various spectroscopic modes
to learn about the chemistry and evolution of objects in our
universe.

The telescope will operate well outside the Earth's atmosphere at a
spot in space called the second Lagrangian point or "L2" located 1
million miles -- or four times farther than the moon's orbit -- in
the direction opposite the sun. From this location, the observatory
is expected to revolutionize our view of the cosmos as Hubble has.

According to the agreement, NASA is responsible for the overall
management and operation of the JWST mission and will build the
spacecraft, the telescope and the platform that will house the
instruments. ESA will provide an Ariane 5 ECA rocket for the
telescope's launch.

NASA also will provide a major instrument, the Near-Infrared Camera,
through the University of Arizona, Tucson. ESA will provide the
Near-Infrared Spectrograph operating over similar wavelengths. NASA
will provide the instrument's detectors, which will measure the
wavelengths of light emanating from the stars being observed.

NASA also will provide the microshutters, which are used to select
which star in the field of view will be observed by the detectors.

The third instrument on board is the Mid-Infrared Instrument. It is
being built through a consortium of nationally funded European
institutions, which are responsible for the instrument's optical
assembly and NASA, with coordination through ESA. Canada will provide
the fourth instrument on board, the Fine Guidance Sensor/Tuneable
Filter Imager.

"The signing of this agreement on JWST, based on a long-standing and
consolidated cooperation between ESA and NASA, will make history once
more," said Dordain. "In particular, we are very proud to use Ariane
5 to put this great observatory into space."

"We're delighted to have ESA's participation on the James Webb Space
Telescope," said Griffin. "The tremendous scientific success of the
Hubble Space Telescope can be attributed to the cooperative efforts
between our two agencies. We expect that, as Hubble's successor, the
James Webb Space Telescope also will make profound astronomical
observations and discoveries. When it does, we can be proud that it,
too, is a project of international cooperation."

At today's ceremony, the leaders of both agencies also signed an
official agreement on the ESA-initiated Laser Interferometer Space
Antenna (LISA) Pathfinder mission, currently targeted for launch in
early 2010. LISA Pathfinder is aimed at demonstrating the
technologies needed for a planned future joint ESA-NASA LISA mission
that will detect gravitational waves in space and test the theory of
general relativity.

Under this agreement, ESA will design, develop, launch and operate the
LISA Pathfinder spacecraft. A consortium of European scientific
institutes will provide the LISA Technology Package, which features a
sensor to detect non-gravitational forces on the spacecraft.

NASA will provide the Disturbance Reduction System Package. That
package will work in tandem with the technology package and consists
of thrusters that produce a minute level of force, combined with
control systems and software.

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NASA Signs Commercial Space Transportation Agreements

June 18, 2007

Beth Dickey/Melissa Mathews
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-2087/1272

Kelly Humphries
Johnson Space Center, Houston
281-483-5111

RELEASE: 07-138

NASA SIGNS COMMERCIAL SPACE TRANSPORTATION AGREEMENTS

WASHINGTON - Through three new Space Act agreements, NASA is expanding
cooperation with companies interested in commercializing access to
space. The companies are developing capabilities to transport goods
and people to low Earth orbit.

NASA signed nonreimbursable Space Act agreements, which do not provide
any government funding to the companies, with SpaceDev of Poway,
Calif., SPACEHAB of Houston, and Constellation Services International
(CSI) of Laguna Woods, Calif. The pacts establish milestones and
objective criteria by which the companies can gauge their progress in
developing orbital cargo transportation capabilities.

Under the agreements, NASA will share information that will help the
companies understand projected requirements for International Space
Station crew and cargo transportation launch vehicles, as well as
spacecraft and NASA human rating criteria.

SpaceDev, SPACEHAB and CSI will work to develop and demonstrate the
vehicles, systems and operations needed to transport cargo to and
from a low Earth orbit destination. SpaceDev also will include crew
transport in its development program. NASA will acknowledge the
companies' milestone accomplishments.

"This is a significant development," said Scott Horowitz, NASA
associate administrator for Exploration Systems. "First there were
two, and now there are a total of five private companies cooperating
with NASA by dedicating entirely private funding to help establish a
robust commercial space transportation industry."

"We're pleased to welcome these entrepreneurs to the growing list of
companies willing to invest their own resources as NASA encourages
development of a whole new sector of the commercial space industry,"
said Alan Lindenmoyer, manager of the Commercial Crew and Cargo
Program Office at the Johnson Space Center in Houston.

The program's overarching goals are to stimulate commercial
enterprises in space, facilitate U.S. private industry development of
reliable, cost-effective access to low Earth orbit and create a
market environment in which commercial space transportation services
are available to government and private customers. By stimulating the
growth of commercial space enterprise, NASA plans to free itself to
focus on long-range exploration to the moon and Mars.

Last year, NASA signed funded agreements with Space Exploration
Technologies of El Segundo, Calif., and Rocketplane Kistler of
Oklahoma City under the program's competition for Commercial Orbital
Transportation Services demonstrations. In January 2007, NASA signed
unfunded agreements with Transformational Space Corp. (t/Space) of
Reston, Va., and PlanetSpace, Inc., of Chicago, which are similar to
the three signed today.

After industry has demonstrated safe and reliable capabilities, NASA
plans to enter the next phase of the Commercial Crew and Cargo
Program and may purchase transportation services from commercial
providers to supply the International Space Station.

For more information about NASA and agency programs, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov

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NASA Nanotechnology Space Sensor Test Successful in Orbit

June 18, 2007

Beth Dickey/Melissa Mathews
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-2087/1272

John Bluck
Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif.
650-604-5026

RELEASE: 07-140

NASA NANOTECHNOLOGY SPACE SENSOR TEST SUCCESSFUL IN ORBIT

MOFFETT FIELD, Calif. -- NASA recently tested the first
nanotechnology-based electronic device to fly in space. The test
showed that the "nanosensor" could monitor trace gases inside a
spaceship. This technology could lead to smaller, more capable
environmental monitors and smoke detectors in future crew habitats.

NASA's Nano ChemSensor Unit hitched a ride to Earth orbit on March 9,
2007, as a secondary payload experiment on the U.S. Naval Academy's
MidSTAR-1 satellite. The sensor test was powered on May 24.

"The nanosensor worked successfully in space," said Jing Li, a
scientist at NASA's Ames Research Center in California's Silicon
Valley. Li is the principal investigator for the test. "We
demonstrated that nanosensors can survive in space conditions and the
extreme vibrations and gravity change that occur during launch," she
said.

On long missions in space, harmful chemical contaminants may build up
gradually in the crew's air supply. Nanosensors will be able to
detect minute amounts of these contaminants and alert the crew that
there may be a problem.

The goal of the experiment was to prove that nanosensors, made of tiny
carbon nanotubes coated with sensing materials, could withstand the
rigors of space flight. Li's experiment also helped scientists learn
how well a nanosensor could endure microgravity, heat and cosmic
radiation in space.

Scientists use a specific sensing material for each chemical they wish
to detect. When a trace chemical touches the sensing material, it can
trigger a chemical reaction that causes electric current flowing
through the sensor to increase or decrease.

To conduct the sensor test in space, nitrogen gas containing 20 parts
per million of nitrogen dioxide was injected into a small chamber.
The chamber also held a computer test chip with 32 nanosensors. The
test measured the change in electricity passing through the
nanosensors after the nitrogen dioxide and the sensing materials made
contact.

The change was similar to the effect fluctuating electrical current
has on a light bulb. Changes in the bulb's brightness correspond to
the number of chemical molecules detected.

Less than a half-inch across, the test chip with its 32 nanosensors is
smaller and less costly than other analytical instruments that could
be used for the same measurements. Other advantages of nanosensors
include low power use and durability.

Scientists have developed chemical sensors using carbon nanotubes and
other nanostructures to detect ammonia, nitrogen oxides, hydrogen
peroxide, hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds and other gases.

Funding for the experiment included support from NASA's Exploration
Technology Development Program. For more information about NASA's
exploration mission, visit:

For more information about NASA and agency programs, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/exploration

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Preventing 'Sick' Spaceships

Preventing 'Sick' Spaceships from PhysOrg.com

Picture this: You're one of several astronauts homeward bound after a three-year mission to Mars. Halfway back from the Red Planet, your spacecraft starts suffering intermittent electrical outages. So you remove a little-used service panel to check some wiring.[###]

NASA Updates Time for Atlantis, Station Crew News Conference

June 15, 2007

Allard Beutel
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-4769

James Hartsfield
Johnson Space Center, Houston
281-483-5111

MEDIA ADVISORY: M07-66a

NASA UPDATES TIME FOR ATLANTIS, STATION CREW NEWS CONFERENCE

HOUSTON - The time for a news conference on Saturday, June 16, with
the 10 astronauts and cosmonauts flying aboard the space shuttle
Atlantis and the International Space Station has been updated to 6:43
p.m. CDT. Media representatives at participating NASA locations will
be able to ask questions during the news conference. Journalists
should contact their local field center to confirm its availability.

NASA Television will provide live coverage of the 40-minute news
conference. For NASA TV downlink, schedule and streaming video
information, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

During Atlantis' STS-117 mission, a new segment has been attached to
the station's backbone, and new solar arrays have been deployed to
prepare the station for the future delivery of European and Japanese
laboratories.

For more information about STS-117 and its crew, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

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NASA Sets Atlantis, Space Station Crew News Conference

June 15, 2007

Allard Beutel
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-4769

James Hartsfield
Johnson Space Center, Houston
281-483-5111

MEDIA ADVISORY: M07-66

NASA SETS ATLANTIS, SPACE STATION CREW NEWS CONFERENCE

HOUSTON - On Saturday, June 16, the 10 astronauts and cosmonauts
flying aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis and the International Space
Station will hold a news conference at 5:08 p.m. CDT. Media
representatives at participating NASA locations will be able to ask
questions during the news conference. Journalists should contact
their local field center to confirm its availability.

NASA Television will provide live coverage of the 40-minute news
conference. For NASA TV downlink, schedule and streaming video
information, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

During Atlantis' STS-117 mission, a new segment has been attached to
the station's backbone, and new solar arrays have been deployed to
prepare the station for the future delivery of European and Japanese
laboratories.

For more information about STS-117 and its crew, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

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Pluto Isn't Even Largest Dwarf Planet

Pluto Isn't Even Largest Dwarf Planet from PhysOrg.com

(AP) -- Pity poor Pluto, the puny former planet is facing yet another indignity. Demoted from planethood a year ago into a new category of dwarf planet, it now turns out that it isn't even the biggest one of those.[...]

New Evidence Points to Oceans on Mars

New Evidence Points to Oceans on Mars from PhysOrg.com

Scientists have found new evidence to support the presence of large oceans on Mars in the past. Published in the June 14 issue of Nature, the research suggests that changes in Mars’ orientation with respect to its axis might be responsible for large variations in the topography of shoreline-like features on the planet. Scientists have studied these features for more than 30 years, and the current study presents a new, alternative explanation for how they formed.[...]

Gap in Atlantis' Thermal Blanket Studied

Gap in Atlantis' Thermal Blanket Studied from PhysOrg.com

(AP) -- With a 4-inch gap in the space shuttle Atlantis' heat-protecting blanket not appearing to be an urgent problem on Saturday, the crew readied themselves for what NASA called a delicate ballet with the international space station.^^^^^

Boring Star May Mean Livelier Planet, Astronomer Says

Boring Star May Mean Livelier Planet, Astronomer Says from PhysOrg.com

“Boring” light from red dwarf star Gliese 581 means better odds for extraterrestrial life in that planetary system, according to University of British Columbia astronomer Jaymie Matthews.[...]

NASA's Shuttle Atlantis Begins Mission to the Space Station

June 8, 2007

John Yembrick
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-0602

Tracy Young
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468

MEDIA ADVISORY: 07-135

NASA'S SHUTTLE ATLANTIS BEGINS MISSION TO THE SPACE STATION

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The space shuttle Atlantis and its
seven-member crew lifted off Friday from NASA's Kennedy Space Center
at 7:38 p.m. EDT to continue construction of the International Space
Station.

Shortly before launch, on behalf of the entire crew, Atlantis'
Commander Rick Sturckow thanked the teams that help make this launch
possible, and then added, "See you in a couple of weeks."

During the 11-day mission, designated STS-117, the crew will add a new
structural component to the station, deploy a new set of solar arrays
and retract an existing array. Similar construction work was
conducted on the previous two shuttle missions.

The mission will deliver and install the 17.5 ton S3/S4 truss
segments. This latest addition to the station's backbone will extend
the right side of the truss and includes a new set of solar arrays.
When unfolded, the 240-foot arrays provide additional power to the
station in preparation for the arrival of new science modules from
the European and Japanese space agencies. The crew also will retract
a solar array to allow for the rotation of the new arrays to track
the sun.

The station's newest resident also is traveling aboard Atlantis.
Astronaut Clayton Anderson will join the Expedition 15 crew. Sunita
Williams, who has been aboard the station since December, will return
to Earth with the Atlantis crew. Anderson is scheduled to return to
Earth on space shuttle Discovery's STS-120 mission in October.

Atlantis' crew is Sturckow, Pilot Lee Archambault and mission
specialists Patrick Forrester, Steven Swanson, John "Danny" Olivas,
Jim Reilly and Anderson.

Atlantis originally was targeted for launch in March, but a hail storm
damaged foam insulation on the shuttle's external fuel tank and
forced managers to roll the spacecraft off the pad to make repairs.

For the latest information about the STS-117 mission and its crew,
visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

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NASA TV and Web Coverage of Space Shuttle Atlantis Mission

June 1, 2007

Katherine Trinidad
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-3749

James Hartsfield
Johnson Space Center, Houston
281-483-5111

MEDIA ADVISORY: M07-68

NASA TV AND WEB COVERAGE OF SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS MISSION

HOUSTON - NASA is providing continuous television and Internet
coverage of space shuttle Atlantis' mission, STS-117, to the
International Space Station.

NASA Television features live mission events, daily mission status
news conferences and 24-hour commentary. NASA TV is webcast at:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

NASA Web coverage of STS-117 includes current mission information,
interactive features and news conference images, graphics and videos.
Mission coverage, including the latest NASA TV schedule, also is
available on the main space shuttle Web site:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

Daily news conferences with STS-117 mission managers take place at
NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston. Reporters can ask questions
from participating NASA locations. Please contact your preferred NASA
facility by close-of-business daily to confirm its availability
before each event.

For information about other NASA missions and activities, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov

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NASA Updates Shuttle Target Launch Date for Hubble Mission

June 7, 2007

Allard Beutel
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-4769

James Hartsfield
Johnson Space Center, Houston
281-483-5111

RELEASE: 07-135

NASA UPDATES SHUTTLE TARGET LAUNCH DATE FOR HUBBLE MISSION

HOUSTON - NASA managers officially are targeting Sept. 10, 2008, for
the launch of the fifth and final space shuttle servicing mission to
the Hubble Space Telescope. During the 11-day flight, Atlantis' seven
astronauts will repair and improve the observatory's capabilities
through 2013.

Mission planners have been working since last fall, when the flight
was announced, to determine the best time in the shuttle manifest to
support the needs of Hubble while minimizing the impact to
International Space Station assembly. NASA also will support a
"launch on need" flight during the Hubble mission. In the unlikely
event a rescue flight becomes necessary, shuttle Endeavour currently
is planned to lift off from Launch Pad 39-B at NASA's Kennedy Space
Center, Fla. However, managers constantly are evaluating the manifest
to determine the best mission options.

Shuttle missions beyond the Hubble flight still are being assessed.
Shuttle and station program officials will continue to consider
options for the remainder of the shuttle flights to complete
construction of the space station by 2010, when the fleet will be
retired. Those target launch dates are subject to change. The
complete shuttle launch manifest is available online at:

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/iss_manifest.html

The Hubble Space Telescope is an international cooperative project
between NASA and the European Space Agency. For more information
about Hubble, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/hubble

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NASA Issues Proposal Request for Ares I Avionics Unit

June 6, 2007

Melissa Mathews/Beth Dickey
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1272/2087

Kim Newton
Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala.
256-544-0034
RELEASE: 07-134

NASA ISSUES PROPOSAL REQUEST FOR ARES I AVIONICS UNIT

WASHINGTON - NASA has issued a request for proposal for key guidance,
navigation and control hardware for the new Ares I crew launch
vehicle. The upper stage instrument unit avionics will be used during
the Ares I ascent.

Proposals are due no later than 2 p.m. EDT July 30, with a selection
expected in November. The contract will be awarded through a full and
open competition.

The avionics unit will be mounted on the Ares I upper stage. It will
provide guidance, navigation and control for the entire launch
vehicle as it transports the Orion crew exploration vehicle to low
Earth orbit.

The request for proposal calls for the selected contractor to partner
with the NASA design team to provide engineering support during the
design phase. It also specifies that the contractor will produce
avionics for the development and flight program and will provide
sustained engineering support for the upper stage avionics system
through 2016.

The instrument unit is part of the Ares I upper stage, which includes
a separately procured upper stage engine. The first stage will
consist of a single reusable solid rocket booster and motor, similar
to those used on the space shuttle, with a fifth integrated motor
segment. The instrument unit with avionics installed will be mounted
on the Ares I at NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility in Louisiana. The
Ares I launch vehicle design and development is managed by NASA's
Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala.

For more information about the request for proposal, visit:

http://www.exploration.nasa.gov

For more information about NASA's Ares Projects, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ares

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Tank Lines Concern Shuttle Engineers

Tank Lines Concern Shuttle Engineers from PhysOrg.com

(AP) -- NASA engineers were troubleshooting a possible problem Wednesday with lines connecting the external fuel tank to space shuttle Atlantis, the only remaining concern about the first shuttle flight of the year.[...]

NASA Technology Helps Detect and Treat Heart Disease and Strokes

June 6, 2007

David E. Steitz
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1730

Jane Platt
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.
818-354-0880

RELEASE: 07-132

NASA TECHNOLOGY HELPS DETECT AND TREAT HEART DISEASE AND STROKES

PASADENA, Calif. - NASA space technology is helping doctors diagnose
and monitor treatments for hardening of the arteries in its early
stages, before it causes heart attacks and strokes.

Hospitals and doctors around the country are using ArterioVision
software initially developed at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory
(JPL), Pasadena, Calif., along with a standardized, painless,
non-invasive ultrasound examination of the carotid artery, which
carries blood from the heart to the brain.

A standard carotid ultrasound measures plaque and blood flow within
the artery. When an ultrasound is used with the software, the test
measures the thickness of the inner two layers of the carotid artery
- the intima and media. Medical Technologies International, Inc.
(MTI) of Palm Desert, Calif., patented the ArterioVision software.

Arterial thickening provides the earliest evidence of atherosclerosis,
or hardening of the arteries, the beginning stage of a disease
process that leads to heart disease and stroke. Doctors can use this
carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) measurement to calculate the
age of the patient's arteries, which does not always match the
patient's calendar age.

"You may look and feel one way on the outside, but your arteries
actually could be much older than one realizes," said Dr. Howard N.
Hodis of the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern
California, Los Angeles. "Once patients see how thick their arteries
are, there is much more incentive for them to change their lifestyle
with dietary modification and exercise," he said. "Physicians also
can use the test to monitor and change current medications."

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the new diagnostic
tool, called the ArterioVision CIMT procedure. Robert Selzer, MTI
chief engineer, worked in JPL's Image Processing Laboratory for 15
years, where the technology was developed that ultimately led to the
software used in ArterioVision.

"This is such a precise method of examining the carotid artery. It can
distinguish between 256 shades of gray at a subpixel level," Selzer
said. "You need that kind of detail to help catch heart disease as
early as you can, often before there are any outward symptoms."

During the test, a patient lies on an examination table while a
technician applies gel to the neck to image the carotid arteries,
located on both sides of the neck near the skin's surface. The
technician uses an ultrasound machine while following a patented
protocol to capture specific images of the carotid artery wall. Using
the ArterioVision software, the physician generates a CIMT
measurement and a report that identifies the patient's risk profile
when compared to people of the same gender and age.

JPL's Image Processing Laboratory was created in 1966 to receive and
make sense of spacecraft imagery. In the lab, the NASA-invented Video
Imaging Communication and Retrieval software has been used to process
pictures from numerous space missions, including the Voyagers and
Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. Periodic upgrades of the imaging
software have enabled greater accuracy and improved knowledge of our
solar system, and have laid the groundwork for understanding images
of all kinds.

The ArterioVision test was developed with JPL's Innovative
Partnerships Program, designed to bring benefits of the space program
to the public. "It is exciting to see this NASA-funded technology
grow in sophistication over the years and help in the battle against
one of the nation's leading health issues," said Ken Wolfenbarger,
Innovative Partnerships Program manager at JPL. The American Heart
Association says heart disease is the leading cause of death in the
United States, while strokes are third, behind all forms of cancer.

Gary F. Thompson, chairman and chief executive officer of MTI, says
the test is near and dear to his heart - literally and figuratively.
"I was the first male in my family to reach 50, so I decided to
celebrate by running the Los Angeles marathon, but I had a heart
attack halfway through it and couldn't finish," Thompson said. "None
of the non-invasive tests that I had prior to the marathon detected
my silent heart disease, and I knew there had to be something better
out there."

The California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, which manages JPL
for NASA, licensed the ArterioVision device to MTI. For more
information about ArterioVision, visit:

http://www.i-mti.com

For more information about NASA's Innovative Partnership Programs,
visit:

http://www.ipp.nasa.gov

For information about NASA and agency programs, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov

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NASA Selects IBM for Next-Generation Supercomputer Applications

June 6, 2007

David E. Steitz
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1730

Michael Mewhinney
Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif.
650-604-3937

Michael Corrado
IBM Media Relations Supercomputing, Somers, N.Y.
914-766-4635

RELEASE: 07-133

NASA SELECTS IBM FOR NEXT-GENERATION SUPERCOMPUTER APPLICATIONS

MOFFETT FIELD, Calif. - On Wednesday, NASA and IBM, Armonk, N.Y.,
announced the agency has selected an IBM System p575+ supercomputer
for evaluating next-generation technology to meet the agency's future
supercomputing requirements. Supercomputers play a critical role in
many NASA missions, including new space vehicle design, global
climate studies and astrophysics research.

The IBM system is being installed at the NASA Advanced Supercomputing
(NAS) facility at the Ames Research Center at Moffett Field, Calif.,
where it is undergoing testing and evaluation. With 640 computational
cores and a peak performance of approximately 5.6 teraflops, the
system will augment the agency's existing "Columbia" system,
currently ranked as the eighth fastest supercomputer in the world.

A teraflop is a measure of a computer's speed; one teraflop can be
expressed as a trillion floating point operations per second.

"With NASA's high-end computing needs expected to continue during the
next few years, we need to keep pace with improved technologies.
IBM's system meets all the criteria for our base system evaluation,
and working closely with them, we will chart out a successful path
for the NASA supercomputing environment," said Dr. Piyush Mehrotra,
who leads the NAS applications group and is steering the technology
upgrade effort.

The NAS supports scientists and engineers throughout the United States
who work on projects such as designing spacecraft, improving weather
and hurricane models, and understanding the behavior of the sun. Many
NASA projects require large, complex calculations and sophisticated
mathematical models that can be efficiently handled only by a
supercomputer.

"The research undertaken by NASA scientists is allowing engineers to
design and build safer, more advanced spacecraft more quickly than
ever," said Dave Turek, vice president of Deep Computing for IBM.
"Computer simulation technology produces perfect prototypes for
virtual testing, reducing the need for physical testing."

The NAS technology upgrade effort used a comprehensive benchmark suite
to characterize system performance on NASA-relevant applications and
to measure job throughput for a workload in a complex,
high-performance computing environment.

The IBM p575+ supercomputer acquisition is the first of a four-phase
procurement process that eventually will replace the Columbia
supercomputer system. This phased replacement supports the
requirements of the agency Strategic Capabilities Assets Program
(SCAP) High-End Computing Capability to provide supercomputing
capability to meet the needs of NASA's programs and missions.

For more information about NASA Advanced Supercomputing facility,
visit:

http://www.nas.nasa.gov

For information about NASA and agency programs, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov

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A Piece of the Past Hitches a Ride on Next Space Shuttle Mission

June 5, 2007

Allard Beutel
Headquarters, Washington
202-3458-4769

Kathy Barnstorff
Langley Research Center, Hampton, Va.
757-864-9886

Kevin Crossett
Jamestown 2007, Jamestown, Va.
757-253-4534

Elizabeth S. Kostelny
Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities, Richmond, Va.
804-648-1889, ext. 306

RELEASE: 07-131

A PIECE OF THE PAST HITCHES A RIDE ON NEXT SPACE SHUTTLE MISSION

HAMPTON, Va. -- A small piece of early American history will become
the latest space traveler with the liftoff of NASA's space shuttle
Atlantis. Atlantis is scheduled to launch Friday, June 8 at 7:38 p.m.
EDT for the STS-117 mission to the International Space Station.

A nearly 400-year-old metal cargo tag bearing the words "Yames Towne"
and some commemorative mementoes are packed in Atlantis' middeck
floor cargo space for the roundtrip flight to the International Space
Station. Their hitchhike through the galaxy honors this year's 400th
anniversary of Jamestown, Va., the first permanent English settlement
in North America.

"We found the tag at the bottom of a well during a dig at the James
Fort," said William M. Kelso, director of archaeology at Historic
Jamestowne for the Association for the Preservation of Virginia
Antiquities. "It appears to be a discarded shipping tag from a crate
or trunk that arrived from England around 1611. The artifact clearly
marks Jamestown as a destination - our nation's first address."

NASA has teamed with Jamestown 2007 to promote the spirit of
exploration then, now and in the future. The artifacts'
out-of-this-world trip is just one of a number of events held during
the last 18 months that have commemorated the nation's pioneering
spirit.

When the one-inch in diameter artifact lands back on Earth, it will
have logged more than four million miles spanning four centuries. It
will have traveled from England to Jamestown, then to and from the
space station. Two sets of Jamestown commemorative coins, authorized
by Congress and issued by the U.S. Mint, also are on Atlantis.

The cargo tag and coin sets honoring Jamestown were handed over to
NASA's Lesa Roe, director of the Langley Research Center in Hampton,
Va., before they made their way aboard the shuttle. "NASA's proud to
be entrusted with this piece of exploration history and to extend
America's great sense of adventure, exploration and heritage into the
future of space," she said when accepting the priceless artifact.

A $5 gold piece and a silver dollar, both of which depict Jamestown
symbols, make up each commemorative coin set. When returned from
space, NASA will present one set to Virginia Governor Tim Kaine for
display at Jamestown Settlement, a 17th century living history
museum. The second set will be displayed at the National Park
Service's Historic Jamestowne Visitor Center.

NASA will return the shipping tag to Historic Jamestowne where it will
join hundreds of other artifacts in a new archaeological museum
called the Archaearium. Since 1994, archaeologists at the Jamestown
Rediscovery project have dug up more than a million items, including
the long-lost remains of James Fort. For centuries, the fort was
believed to have eroded into the James River.

NASA's vision to return to the moon then venture to Mars and beyond
continues the legacy of exploration and discovery begun 400 years ago
by America's earliest explorers. To learn more about NASA's long-term
exploration goals, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/exploration
For more information about the commemoration of Jamestown's 400th
anniversary, visit:

http://www.americas400thanniversary.com
For more information about Historic Jamestowne, visit:

http://www.historicjamestowne.org
For more information about space shuttle Atlantis' mission to the
space station, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

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NASA Shuttle Engine Upgrades Improve Safety and Reliability

June 5, 2007

John Yembrick
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-0602

June Malone
Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala.
256-544-0034

RELEASE: 07-130

NASA SHUTTLE ENGINE UPGRADES IMPROVE SAFETY AND RELIABILITY

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - A main engine computer upgrade developed by NASA's
Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., will fly on space
shuttle Atlantis during the STS-117 mission, targeted for launch June
8. The upgrade is part of NASA's continuing efforts to improve space
shuttle safety and reliability.

The Advanced Health Management System, or AHMS, will provide new
monitoring and insight into the performance of the two most critical
components of the space shuttle main engine: the high-pressure fuel
turbopump and the high-pressure oxidizer turbopump.

This latest improvement is to the controller, the on-engine computer
that monitors and controls all main engine operations. The
improvement allows an engine to shut down during launch if vibration
levels exceed safe limits. AHMS consists of advanced digital signal
processors, radiation-hardened memory and new software.

AHMS first flew on Discovery's STS-116 mission in December 2006 with a
single controller on one engine, but in monitor-only mode, meaning
AHMS collected and processed vibration data but could not shut down
the engine. AHMS will operate in active mode - the ability to shut
down an engine if an anomaly is detected - on a single engine during
the upcoming STS-117 mission and is scheduled to fly in active mode
on all three engines during the STS-118 mission later this year.

In the event of an engine shut down, the shuttle has several options
available to abort the ascent. They include returning to the launch
site, a transatlantic abort landing, landing at an alternate site in
the United States or rendezvous with the International Space Station.
Each scenario would depend on when an engine shuts down during
flight, the mission trajectory and mission specific requirements,
such as payloads.

The system uses data from three existing sensors, or accelerometers,
mounted on each of the high pressure turbopumps. It measures how much
each pump is vibrating. High-pressure fuel and high-pressure oxidizer
turbopumps rotate at approximately 34,000 revolutions per minute and
23,000 revolutions per minute, respectively. To operate at such
extreme speeds, the turbopumps are equipped with highly specialized
bearings and precisely balanced components. Output data from the
accelerometers is routed to the new digital signal processors
installed in the main engine controller. These processors analyze the
sensor readings 20 times each second, looking for vibration anomalies
that are indicative of impending failure of rotating turbopump
components such as blades, impellers, inducers and bearings. If the
magnitude of any vibration anomaly exceeds safe limits, the upgraded
main engine controller would shut down the unhealthy engine
immediately.

"The Space Shuttle Main Engine Project has, for many years, pursued a
reliable means to monitor high-pressure turbomachinery health in real
time," said Tim Kelley, deputy manager of the Space Shuttle Main
Engine Project Office. "AHMS provides that capability and
significantly improves shuttle flight safety."

AHMS is the sixth major upgrade to space shuttle main engines since
the first shuttle flight in 1981. The series of shuttle main engine
enhancements have increased safety and reliability through such
improvements as the addition of a two-duct powerhead, a single-coil
heat exchanger, a new high-pressure oxidizer turbopump, a
large-throat main combustion chamber and a new high-pressure fuel
turbopump.

The shuttle's three main engines start approximately 6.5 seconds prior
to lift-off. Once running, the solid rocket boosters ignite, and
lift-off occurs. During ascent, the solid rocket boosters burn for
approximately 120 seconds and are then jettisoned. The shuttle, still
attached to the external tank with three main engines running,
continues ascent until main engine cut-off at 510 seconds, or eight
and one-half minutes after liftoff - long enough to burn more than
500,000 gallons of fuel. The engines shut down just before the
shuttle, traveling at about 17,000 mph, reaches orbit. The three main
engines are never restarted during the mission, re-entry or landing.
The shuttle returns to Earth as a glider.

Space shuttle main engines operate at greater temperature extremes
than any mechanical system in common use today. These powerful
engines are clustered at the aft end of the shuttle and have a
combined thrust of more than 1.2 million pounds. Each is 14 feet
long, is seven and one-half feet in diameter at the nozzle exit,
weighs approximately 7,750 pounds and generates more than 12 million
horsepower.

For information about the space shuttle program, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

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NASA Spacecraft Ready for Science-Rich Encounter With Venus

June 4, 2007

Tabatha Thompson
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-3895

Paulette Campbell
Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, Md.
240-228-6792

RELEASE: 07-129

NASA SPACECRAFT READY FOR SCIENCE-RICH ENCOUNTER WITH VENUS

WASHINGTON - NASA's MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry,
and Ranging (MESSENGER) spacecraft will make its closest pass to
Venus on Tuesday, June 5. This will place the spacecraft on target
for a flyby of Mercury in January 2008. MESSENGER will be the first
probe to visit the innermost planet in more than 30 years.

Threading its path through an aim point 209 miles above the surface of
Venus, MESSENGER will use the pull of the planet's gravity to guide
it closer to Mercury. During this flyby, Venus's gravity will change
the spacecraft's direction around the sun and decelerate it from 22.7
to 17.3 miles per second.

"Typically, spacecraft have used planetary flybys to speed toward the
outer solar system," said Andy Calloway, MESSENGER mission operations
manager, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL),
Laurel, Md. "MESSENGER, headed in the opposite direction, needs to
slow down enough to slip into orbit around Mercury."

This will be MESSENGER's second pass by Venus. During its first flyby
of the planet, in October 2006, no scientific observations were made.
Venus was at superior conjunction, placing it on the opposite side of
the sun from Earth, leading to a two-week radio contact blackout
between the spacecraft and its operators. This upcoming encounter
offers opportunities for new observations of Venus's atmosphere,
cloud structure, space environment and perhaps even its surface. The
spacecraft will train most of its instruments on Venus during the
upcoming encounter.

"During the flyby we'll ensure that the spacecraft and payload remain
healthy, calibrate several of the science instruments, and practice
many of the observations planned for the Mercury flybys," said Sean
Solomon, MESSENGER principal investigator and planetary scientist at
the Carnegie Institution of Washington.

The team plans to image the upper cloud layers at visible and
near-infrared wavelengths for comparison with earlier spacecraft
observations. Magnetic field and charged particle observations will
be made to characterize the solar wind interaction with Venus and
search for solar wind pick-up ions. Ultraviolet-visible and X-ray
spectrometry will permit detailed observations of the composition of
the upper atmosphere, and MESSENGER will search for lightning on the
Venus night side.

MESSENGER will join the European Venus Express spacecraft, currently
orbiting Venus, to make new observations of the Venus environment. To
understand fully how solar wind plasma affects and controls the Venus
ionosphere and nearby plasma dynamics, simultaneous measurements are
needed of the interplanetary conditions and the particle-and-field
characteristics at Venus. The combined MESSENGER and Venus Express
observations will be the first opportunity to conduct such
two-spacecraft measurements.

"By coordinating and comparing these observations, we will be able to
maximize the science from both missions and potentially learn things
that would not be revealed by one set of observations alone," said
APL's Ralph McNutt, MESSENGER project scientist.

MESSENGER is only the second spacecraft to set sights on Mercury.
NASA's Mariner 10 sailed past the planet three times in 1974 and 1975
and took detailed images of about 45 percent of the surface. Carrying
seven scientific instruments on its compact and durable composite
frame, MESSENGER will provide the first images of the entire planet.
The mission also will collect detailed information on the composition
and structure of Mercury's crust, its geologic history, the nature of
its thin atmosphere and active magnetosphere, as well as the makeup
of its core and polar materials.

Launched in August 2004, MESSENGER has completed more than 40 percent
of its 4.9-billion mile journey to Mercury, which includes 15 loops
around the sun. An Earth flyby one year after launch and a large
propulsive maneuver in December 2005 set the spacecraft on course for
the first Venus flyby in October 2006.

Next up for MESSENGER is a trio of swings past Mercury, in January and
October 2008 and September 2009. During these flybys, the probe will
map most of the planet and determine surface and atmospheric
composition. These data will be used to help plan priorities for the
yearlong orbital mission, which begins in March 2011.

The MESSENGER project is the seventh in NASA's Discovery Program of
lower-cost, scientifically focused space missions. The Applied
Physics Laboratory built and operates the MESSENGER spacecraft and
manages the mission for NASA's Science Mission Directorate,
Washington.

For the latest news and images about the MESSENGER mission, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/messenger

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NASA Updates Space Shuttle Atlantis Prelaunch Events

June 1, 2007

John Yembrick
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-0602

George Diller
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468

MEDIA ADVISORY: M07-62

NASA UPDATES SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS PRELAUNCH EVENTS

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - News conferences, events and operating hours
for NASA's Kennedy Space Center News Center are set for the scheduled
June 8 launch of space shuttle Atlantis on the STS-117 mission to the
International Space Station. Liftoff is slated for 7:38 p.m. EDT.

On Monday, June 4, the seven Atlantis crew members are scheduled to
arrive at the Kennedy Space Center at 6:30 p.m. EDT. Media planning
to cover the event must be at the News Center by 5 p.m. for
transportation to the Shuttle Landing Facility. Commander Rick
Sturckow will make a brief statement to the media. NASA Television
will air live coverage of the arrival and Sturckow's remarks.

NASA TV also will broadcast live countdown status briefings and news
conferences June 5-8. Complete listings of news briefing times,
participants, Kennedy News Center and media credentialing hours of
operation are available in the online version of this media advisory
at:

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/news/index.html

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

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

For the latest information about the STS-117 crew and mission, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

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NASA Starts Space Shuttle Atlantis Countdown June 5

June 1, 2007

John Yembrick
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-0602

George Diller
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468

MEDIA ADVISORY: M07-61

NASA STARTS SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS COUNTDOWN JUNE 5

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA will start the launch countdown for space
shuttle Atlantis' STS-117 mission at 9 p.m. EDT Tuesday, June 5, at
the T-43 hour point. The countdown includes 27 hours, 32 minutes of
built-in hold time leading to a preferred launch time at
approximately 7:38 p.m. EDT Friday, June 8. The launch window extends
an additional five minutes.

During the 11-day mission, Atlantis' crew will resume construction of
the International Space Station, working with the station crew to
install the girder-like S3/S4 truss segment, unfold a new set of
solar arrays and retract one array on the starboard side of the
station.

A detailed list of launch countdown milestones and times is available
at:

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/news/index.html

This mission is the 118th space shuttle flight, the 28th flight for
Atlantis and the 21st U.S. flight to the International Space Station.
STS-117 is scheduled to land at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla., on
Tuesday, June 19.

Atlantis' last mission was STS-115 in September 2006. For the upcoming
STS-117 mission, Atlantis rolled out to Launch Pad 39-A from
Kennedy's Vehicle Assembly Building on May 15. Atlantis originally
was targeted for launch in March, but a hail storm damaged foam
insulation on the shuttle's external fuel tank and forced managers to
roll the spacecraft back into the Vehicle Assembly Building to make
repairs. With the refurbishment of Pad 39-A, this launch will be the
first from the pad in four years.

STS-117 Commander Rick Sturckow, Pilot Lee Archambault and mission
specialists Jim Reilly, Patrick Forrester, Steven Swanson, John
"Danny" Olivas and Clayton Anderson are scheduled to arrive at the
Kennedy Space Center on June 4.

Expedition 15 Flight Engineer Sunita Williams will return to Earth
from the space station aboard Atlantis. The flight will carry
Expedition 15/16 Flight Engineer Clayton Anderson to the station. He
will return home aboard space shuttle Discovery on mission STS-120.

For more information about the STS-117 crew and mission to the space
station, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

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NASA Robot Completes Test Drive of Exploration Capabilities

May 31, 2007

Dwayne Brown
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1726

RELEASE: 07-128

NASA ROBOT COMPLETES TEST DRIVE OF EXPLORATION CAPABILITIES

WASHINGTON - In late May, a NASA-funded robot successfully navigated
one of the world's deepest sinkholes. The mission could be a prelude
to a future mission to Jupiter's moon Europa, believed to contain a
liquid water ocean. The Deep Phreatic Thermal Explorer (DEPTHX) is a
3,300-pound, computerized, underwater vehicle that makes its own
decisions. With more than 100 sensors, 36 onboard computers, and 16
thrusters and actuators, it decides where to swim, which samples to
collect and how to get home.

DEPTHX dove repeatedly into the depths of Mexico's mysterious Sistema
Zacaton sinkhole, or cenote, testing a variety of sensors, sonars,
and other equipment. The robot also obtained numerous samples of
water and the gooey biofilm that coated the cenote walls. Reaching
depths of 1099 feet, the battery-powered robot traveled deeper into
the sinkhole than human divers could reach. Though initially operated
on a data-tether, DEPTHX also operated autonomously, without a tether
or human guidance, for up to eight hours at a time.

On May 26, DEPTHX autonomously descended into Zacaton, collected a
wall core sample and safely returned to the surface, all without
scripted instructions. Two days later, again operating without a
tether, DEPTHX further explored and mapped Zacaton, using a novel
form of three-dimensional navigation known as Simultaneous
Localization and Mapping.

Both of these capabilities - autonomous science operations and
autonomous navigation and mapping - will be useful to a new
generation of planetary robotic systems.

Funded by NASA's Astrobiology Science and Technology for Exploring
Planets program and led by principal investigator Bill Stone of Stone
Aerospace, Inc., Austin, Texas, the project now is ready to take the
next step in Earth exploration.

"The successful tests in Mexico pave the way for a trip to
Antarctica's Lake Bonney in late 2008. There, conditions more closely
resemble those on Europa," said John Rummel, senior scientist for
astrobiology at NASA Headquarters, Washington. "We're learning how to
explore Europa by first exploring analogue environments here on
Earth."

Although NASA's long-term goal is to build a smaller robot that can
function independently on another world, DEPTHX is generating
important new discoveries. For the first time, scientists can collect
specimens from the undisturbed world of sinkholes or other deep
watery environments, bringing back new types of bacteria that one day
may lead to earthly benefits such as advanced medical therapies or
new kinds of materials.

While DEPTHX engineers aimed to build a machine that behaves like a
microbiologist, smaller versions of the robot also might be equipped
as safety inspectors to examine underwater dams or drilling
platforms.

The robot explored the underwater environment and navigated back to
the surface at the end of each day using 500 three-dimensional maps
continually updated in real time on supercomputers built by
scientists at Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh.

DEPTHX is a $5 million, three-year project that includes scientists
and engineers from Stone Aerospace; Carnegie Mellon University; the
University of Texas at Austin; the Colorado School of Mines, Golden;
the University or Arizona, Tucson; and the Southwest Research
Institute, San Antonio, Texas.

To see learn more about the DEPTHX and other NASA projects, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov

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NASA Gives "Go" for Space Shuttle Launch on June 8

May 31, 2007

Katherine Trinidad
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-3749

Tracy Young
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468

RELEASE: 07-127

NASA GIVES "GO" FOR SPACE SHUTTLE LAUNCH ON JUNE 8

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - On Thursday, NASA senior managers selected June
8 as the official launch date for space shuttle Atlantis. Commander
Rick Sturckow and his six crewmates are scheduled to lift off at 7:38
p.m. EDT on the STS-117 mission to the International Space Station.

During the 11-day mission and three spacewalks, the crew will work
with flight controllers at NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston, to
install a 17-ton segment on the station's girder-like truss and
deploy a set of solar arrays. The mission will increase the
International Space Station's power capability in preparation for the
arrival of new science modules from the European and Japanese space
agencies.

Atlantis' launch date was announced at the Flight Readiness Review.
During the two-day meeting, top NASA and contractor managers assess
any risks associated with the mission and determine whether the
shuttle's equipment, support systems and procedures are ready for
flight. The first Flight Readiness Review for STS-117 was held Feb.
27-28. A hail storm on Feb. 26, however, damaged Atlantis' external
fuel tank and delayed the planned mid-March launch.

"While we cannot control the weather, this team can ensure that when
we do launch, it will be as safely as possible," said Associate
Administrator for Space Operations Bill Gerstenmaier, who chaired the
meetings. "This second Flight Readiness Review was as thorough as the
first. The discussions were open, healthy, and are evidence of a team
that is ready for a complicated and important station assembly
mission."

Joining Commander Sturckow on STS-117 will be Pilot Lee Archambault
and mission specialists Patrick Forrester, Steven Swanson, John
"Danny" Olivas, Jim Reilly and Clayton Anderson. Anderson will
replace current station crew member Sunita Williams, who has lived on
the station since December. Williams will return to Earth on
Atlantis.

For more information about the STS-117 mission, including images and
interviews with the crew, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

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University of Michigan astronomers capture the first image of surface features on a sun-like star

University of Michigan astronomers capture the first image of surface features on a sun-like star from PhysOrg.com

University of Michigan astronomers combined light from four widely separated telescopes to produce the first picture showing surface details on a sun-like star beyond our solar system.[...]

NASA, 13 Space Agencies Release Exploration Strategy Framework

May 31, 2007

Melissa Mathews/Michael Braukus
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1272/1979

RELEASE: 07-126

NASA, 13 SPACE AGENCIES RELEASE EXPLORATION STRATEGY FRAMEWORK

WASHINGTON - NASA and 13 space agencies from around the world are
releasing the latest product of their Global Exploration Strategy
discussions. The document, "The Global Exploration Strategy: The
Framework for Coordination," reflects a shared vision of space
exploration focused on solar system destinations where humans may
someday live and work.

The framework document allows for the establishment of a voluntary,
non-binding mechanism by which space agencies can exchange
information on their respective space exploration plans. This
coordination mechanism will play a key role in helping to identify
gaps, overlaps and synergies in the space exploration plans of
participating agencies.

The framework document is an important step in an evolving process
toward a comprehensive global approach to space exploration. Although
the document is non-binding, its contents are consistent with ongoing
bilateral and multilateral discussions that NASA intends to lead to
cooperative agreements for specific projects. In addition to NASA,
representatives from agencies in Australia, Canada, China, the
European Space Agency, France, Germany, Great Britain, India, Italy,
Japan, Russia, the Republic of Korea and Ukraine participated in the
Global Exploration Strategy discussions. Many participants are
meeting this week in Spineto, Italy, to discuss the development of
the coordination mechanism and other issues.

The framework document is available at:

http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/178109main_ges_framework.pdf

To learn more about NASA's future space exploration plans, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/exploration

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