Space Shuttle Columbia debris repository to be opened to media

Melissa Mathews
Headquarters, Washington January 22, 2003
(Phone: 202/358-1272)

Mike Rein
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
(Phone: 321/867-2468)

NOTE TO EDITORS: N04-012

SPACE SHUTTLE COLUMBIA DEBRIS REPOSITORY TO BE OPENED TO MEDIA

Media will be able to view the permanent repository of Space
Shuttle Columbia debris Friday, Jan. 30, at 9:30 a.m. EST at
NASA's Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Fla. Columbia Preservation
Team Lead Scott Thurston and Space Shuttle Launch Director
Michael Leinbach will be available for questions during the
viewing.

The debris is stored on the 16th floor of KSC's Vehicle
Assembly Building (VAB). The tour is divided into three
sessions. The first departs the KSC Press Site at 9:30 a.m. EST
and is reserved for TV reporters and videographers. The next
two sessions, designed for print reporters and still
photographers, leave the Press Site at approximately 10:15 a.m.
and 11 a.m. EST. Access will be granted on a first-requested
basis and limited to two persons per organization.

In the future, the debris will be used for research purposes so
NASA and the scientific community can continue to learn from
Columbia. After this media tour, the 16th floor area will be
closed to the public and only available for viewing on a case- by-case
basis.

Media who want to attend this viewing must contact the KSC
Press Site by noon, Jan. 28, by calling Amber Marek at 321/867- 2468.

Media who do not currently possess KSC credentials should
submit their request on affiliation letterhead via fax to
321/867-2692. The request should include the following
information:*Full Legal Name*Title*Date of Birth*Place of
Birth*Social Security Number*Country of Citizenship
Since the VAB is an operational facility that deals in
hazardous materials, all who enter must be properly dressed in
long pants and closed-toe shoes with low heels. Sleeveless
shirts are not allowed.

For information about NASA's human space flight programs on the
Internet, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/

For information on NASA's efforts to return the Space Shuttles
to flight on the Internet, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/news/highlights/returntoflight.html



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Jacques :-)

Editor: www.spacepatches.info