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KSC Release No.: 63-97
LAUNCH OF GOES-K WEATHER SATELLITE SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 24
The launch of the GOES-K weather satellite for NASA and the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) aboard a Lockheed Martin
Atlas 1 rocket (AC-79) is scheduled for April 24. Liftoff is targeted
to occur at the opening of a launch window which extends from 1:50 -
3:09 a.m. EDT, a duration of one hour and 19 minutes. Launch will occur
from Pad B at Complex 36 on Cape Canaveral Air Station.
GOES-K is the third spacecraft to be launched in the new advanced
series of geostationary weather satellites for NOAA. The spacecraft is
a three-axis internally stabilized weather satellite which has the dual
capability of providing pictures while performing atmospheric sounding
at the same time. Once in orbit the spacecraft is to be designated
GOES-10.
AC-79 marks the final launch of an Atlas 1 rocket, a derivative of the
original Atlas Centaur developed by NASA which had its first successful
launch in 1963. Future launches of GOES weather satellites in the
current series will be on Atlas II vehicles.
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NASA/NOAA Prelaunch Press Conference
The prelaunch press conference will be held at the NASA News Center at
KSC on Tuesday, April 22 at 1 p.m. EDT. Participating in the briefing
will be:
Floyd Curington, NASA Launch Manager, Kennedy Space Center
Pat Symons, NASA Launch Vehicle Manager, Lewis Research Center
Sy Baker, Director, Atlas Launch Operations, Lockheed Martin
Martin Davis, GOES Project Manager, Goddard Space Flight Center
Gerry Dittberner, GOES Program Manager, NOAA
Susan Zevin, Deputy Director for Operations, National Weather Service
Joel Tumbiolo, Launch Weather Officer, 45th Weather Squadron, USAF
A post launch news conference is not planned.
Launch Day Press Coverage
On launch day, media covering the event should assemble at the Gate 1
Pass and Identification Building on Cape Canaveral Air Station located
on State Road 401. The convoy to Press Site 1 will depart at 12:30 a.m.
Those who wish to cover the prelaunch press conference and the launch
of GOES-K should send a letter of request on news organization
letterhead. Include the names and Social Security numbers of those
desiring accreditation. Letters should be faxed to 407/867-2692 or may
be addressed to:
GOES-K Launch Accreditation
NASA PA-MSB
Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899
GOES-K/AC-79 mission badges may be picked up at the NASA News Center
beginning on Monday, April 21. Badges may also be obtained on launch
day at the Gate 1 Pass and Identification Building starting at 12:15
a.m. To obtain a badge, proper media identification must be presented,
or a letter requesting accreditation should be sent in advance to the
NASA News Center.
On launch day, a GOES-K/AC-79 mission badge is required for all media
covering the launch from Press Site 1. No other badges can be honored.
Remote Camera Placement
On Wednesday, Apr. 23 at 9 a.m., a bus will depart from the NASA News
Center for Complex 36 for media photographers who wish to establish
remote cameras at the pad. There will be no access or transportation
from Gate 1 for remote camera set-ups.
Atlas-1 Photo Opportunity
A photo opportunity of the Atlas 1 vehicle at launch pad Pad 36-B will
be available for press representatives at the time of tower rollback.
Media wishing to participate will depart from the Gate 1 Pass and
Identification Building on Cape Canaveral Air Station at 10:15 p.m.
NASA News Center Overnight Hours for Launch
The NASA News Center at KSC will open on launch day at 12 midnight and
remain open until a successful mission has been confirmed. This is
expected to be known within one hour following launch.
NASA Television Coverage
NASA Television will carry live the GOES-K/AC-79 Prelaunch Press
Conference on Tuesday, April 22 starting at 1 p.m.
On launch day, April 24, video programming will begin at 12:15 a.m.
EDT. Launch commentary will begin at 12:30 a.m. and continue until a
successful mission can be confirmed.
Audio only of the prelaunch press conference and the launch coverage
will be carried on the NASA "V" circuits which may be accessed by
dialing 407/867-1220 -240 -260.
NASA Television is available on the GE-2 satellite, Transponder 9C,
located at 85 degrees West.
Status Reports
Recorded status reports on the launch of GOES-K/AC-79 will be available
on the KSC news media codaphone starting on April 21. The telephone
number is 407/867-2525.
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