NASA Sets Coverage For Cots 1 Launch Targeted For Dec. 7

Known as COTS 1, the launch is the first flight of the Dragon
spacecraft and the first commercial attempt to re-enter a spacecraft
from orbit. This is the first of three test launches currently
planned in the Falcon 9 test flight series. It is intended as a
demonstration mission to prove key capabilities such as launch,
structural integrity of the Dragon spacecraft, on-orbit operation,
re-entry, descent and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.

NASA established the COTS program to procure a commercial launch
service to stimulate the commercial space industry, to facilitate a
private industry cargo capability to the International Space Station
as soon as achievable, and to achieve cost effective access to low
Earth orbit that will attract private customers.

PRELAUNCH NEWS CONFERENCE
The prelaunch news conference for the COTS 1 Falcon 9 launch is
planned for L-1, currently Monday, Dec. 6 at 1:30 p.m., at the press
site at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA Television will
provide live coverage, and the briefing will be streamed at

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv.

The prelaunch news conference participants will be:
- Phil McAlister, acting director, Commercial Space Flight
Development NASA Headquarters, Washington
- Alan Lindenmoyer, manager, Commercial Crew and Cargo Program
NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston
- Gwynne Shotwell, president
SpaceX, Hawthorne, Calif.
- Mike McAleenan, Falcon 9 Launch Weather Officer
45th Weather Squadron, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station

A post-mission news conference will be held at Kennedy approximately
one hour after splashdown occurs.

Audio of the prelaunch and post-mission news conferences also will be
carried on the NASA "V" circuits, which can be accessed directly by
dialing 321-867- 1220, 1240, 1260 or 7135.

FALCON 9 LAUNCH PAD PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
On Dec. 6 following the prelaunch news conference, a photo opportunity
of the Falcon 9 rocket on the launch pad will be available for media
representatives. Spokespeople from SpaceX will be available to answer
questions. Journalists who wish to participate should plan to depart
the Kennedy press site no earlier than 2:15 p.m. Media will be
returned to the press site by approximately 4 p.m.

REMOTE CAMERA SET-UPS
While sound activated remote cameras cannot be established inside the
launch pad perimeter, other locations will be available. Media
representatives wishing to establish remote cameras should be at the
Kennedy press site on L-1, Dec. 6, at 9 a.m.

NASA TV & WEB LAUNCH COVERAGE
On launch day, Dec. 7, NASA TV live coverage will begin at the
conclusion of the built in hold at T-5 minutes and counting. For NASA
TV downlink information, schedules and links to streaming video, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

Prelaunch and launch day coverage of the COTS 1 Falcon 9 mission will
be available on the NASA website at:

http://www.nasa.gov

Coverage will include live streaming and text updates of the final
five minutes of the countdown. On-demand streaming video, podcast and
photos of the launch will be available shortly after liftoff. To
access these features, go to NASA's COTS website at:

http://www.nasa.gov/cots

MEDIA CREDENTIALS

To attend the prelaunch news conference and/or to cover the launch,
journalists must request credentials at:

https://media.ksc.nasa.gov

The Kennedy Badging Office on SR-405 is open Monday through Friday
from 6 a.m. until 4 p.m. For more information about credentials,
contact Laurel Lichtenberger at 321-867-4036.

Launch day media activities will be outlined in a Dec. 3 news release
to be issued by SpaceX. For questions and further information about
SpaceX, contact Kirstin Brost at 202-649-2716.

Johnson Space Center is responsible for the Commercial Crew and Cargo
Program Office for the COTS program as part of the Exploration
Systems Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters.

For further information about the COTS 1 launch, contact the Kennedy
press site at 321-867-2468 or visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/kennedy

Source: NASA

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