NASA Updates Shuttle Atlantis Target Launch Date, Crew Rehearsal


Oct. 19, 2009

John Yembrick
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1100
john.yembrick-1@xxxxxxxx

Kyle Herring
Johnson Space Center, Houston
281-483-5111
kyle.j.herring@xxxxxxxx

Allard Beutel
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468
allard.beutel@xxxxxxxx

RELEASE: 09-246

NASA UPDATES SHUTTLE ATLANTIS TARGET LAUNCH DATE, CREW REHEARSAL

WASHINGTON -- NASA is targeting Nov. 16 for the launch of space
shuttle Atlantis' STS-129 mission from the agency's Kennedy Space
Center in Florida.

Managers for NASA's Space Operations Mission Directorate and
Exploration Systems Mission Directorate met Monday and decided to
adjust Atlantis' target launch date to optimize the agency's ability
to launch both Ares I-X and Atlantis before the end of the year. The
same launch team at Kennedy is supporting both the shuttle and the
flight test of the Ares I-X rocket, which is targeted to lift off on
Oct. 27. Ares I-X is scheduled to roll out to its launch pad at 12:01
a.m. EDT Tuesday.

Atlantis' new target launch date will give Ares I-X launch
opportunities Oct. 27, 28 and 29. NASA has yet to schedule Atlantis'
new target liftoff date on the Eastern Range.

The change to Atlantis' targeted launch will affect the launch
countdown dress rehearsal for the shuttle's six astronauts. The
astronauts arrived at Kennedy on Monday for the Terminal Countdown
Demonstration Test and related training. The simulated countdown has
been rescheduled to Nov. 3. The astronauts will practice emergency
escape and other related training while they are at Kennedy this week
and return there Nov. 2 to conclude their rehearsal work.

The agency's Flight Readiness Review meeting for STS-129 is set for
Oct. 29. NASA will schedule an official launch date for Atlantis
following that meeting.

For more information about the STS-129 mission and its crew, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

-end-

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