ELV Update
A new launch date was announced Tuesday for Mars Exploration Rover 2: no earlier than June 8. Mated to the upper stage booster and enclosed in its payload canister (in progress, below), MER-2 arrived at Launch Pad 17-A early Tuesday morning. Fueling of the Delta second stage is planned to occur June 5.

Spaceport Super Safety & Health Day 2003
Preparations are under way for Spaceport Super Safety and Health Day 2003 scheduled for October 15. This annual event was initiated at KSC in 1998 to increase awareness of the importance of safety and health among the KSC workforce. Mark your calendars and future issues of KSC Countdown for more information.

Super Festival For Girls grades 5 - 8
In celebration of the 20th anniversary and historic Shuttle flight of Sally Ride, the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex announces the Super Festival for Girls in fifth through eighth grades. The festival will take place at the Visitors Complex June 21 - 22 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Events will include a tour of the space center, a private tour of Apollo/Saturn V Center and the Space Shuttle launch pads, viewing the IMAX movie "Mad Mission to Mars," hearing speakers such as astronauts Sally Ride and Barbara Morgan, attending workshops for girls and adults, and attending Sally's induction into the Astronaut Hall of Fame. For more information or to register online, go to www.SallyRideFestivals.com or call 800-561-5161

NASA-sponsored blood drive with the
American Red Cross
A NASA-sponsored Blood Donor Drive is scheduled on Tuesday, June 3. The American Red Cross will be accepting donations on Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in a Bloodmobile located behind the Headquarters Building Courtyard. For additional information, go to the web site http://ba.ksc.nasa.gov/bloodrive.htm. If you would like to schedule your appointment, please call The American Red Cross at 1-800-GIVE LIFE (1-800-44835433), and reference NASA HQ Building, Kennedy Space Center, when making your appointment.

Elder Care Support Group
Due to the rising trend in elderly care and the concerns associated with it, a new support group has formed that deals with caring for the aged. The group will meet bi-monthly on Fridays at 11 a.m. in the Occupational Health Facility, Building M6-495 Library. The next support group meeting is May 30. For information, e-mail Patricia Bell at Patricia.Bell-1@ksc.nasa.gov .