July 21, 2009

Katherine Trinidad
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1100


Chris McGee
Stennis Space Center, Miss.
228-688-3249


MEDIA ADVISORY: M09-120

MEDIA INVITED TO VIEW LAST PLANNED SPACE SHUTTLE MAIN ENGINE TEST

BAY ST. LOUIS, Miss. -- NASA's John C. Stennis Space Center invites
journalists to view the last planned space shuttle main engine test
scheduled for 2 p.m. CDT on Wednesday, July 29.

The 520-second test ends a 34-year era of space shuttle main engine
testing at the facility. Stennis engineers conducted their first
space shuttle main engine test in 1975. The first shuttle mission was
launched in 1981. Since then, 126 missions have flown, all with main
engines tested by Stennis. Seven flights remain before the space
shuttle fleet is retired.

The primary work at Stennis has been space shuttle main engine
testing, but the center also is helping NASA prepare for the next era
of human spaceflight. Between 2007 and 2008, Stennis conducted
component testing as part of early development of the J-2X engine for
NASA's Constellation Program. The J-2X will be tested at simulated
altitudes up to 100,000 feet on the 300-foot A-3 test stand currently
under construction at the center.

Journalists wishing to view the final space shuttle main engine test
should contact Chris McGee, the news chief at Stennis, at
228-688-3249 by noon on Tuesday, July 28. Reporters must arrive at
Stennis by 1 p.m. on the day of the event to be credentialed and
escorted to the site.

Footage of the test will air on NASA Television's Video File. For
NASA
TV streaming video, scheduling and downlink information, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

For information about NASA's Stennis Space Center, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/stennis

For more information about the Space Shuttle Program, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

For more information about NASA and agency programs, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

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