Notice to Editors/News Directors:
MISSION STS-82 EVENTS, NEWS CENTER OPERATING HOURS SET

News conferences, events and operating hours for KSC's News Center have been set for the Feb. 11 launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery on Mission STS-82. These events are scheduled to be carried live on NASA Television unless noted (please refer to the STS-82 TV schedule for exact times).

The seven STS-82 crew members are scheduled to arrive at KSC on Friday, Feb. 7, between 8 and 8:30 a.m. News media representatives wishing to cover crew arrival must be at the News Center by 7 a.m. Friday for transport to the Shuttle Landing Facility. News media needing credentials for crew arrival should make arrangements by calling the News Center at 867-2468.

The launch countdown will begin at the T-43-hour mark at 4 a.m. EST Saturday, Feb. 8. Launch is currently targeted for 3:56 a.m. EST on Tuesday, Feb. 11, at the opening of a 65-minute launch window.

News media representatives with proper authorization may obtain STS-82 mission credentials at the Pass and Identification Building on State Road 3 on Merritt Island.

The office will be open during the mission to support all mission status briefings from the Johnson Space Center, which are listed in the TV schedule.

• STS-82 flight crew arrival (live) ----- about 8:00 a.m.

• Launch countdown begins ----- 4:00 a.m.
  

• Countdown Status Briefing ----- 9:00 a.m.
  * John Guidi, Shuttle Test Director
  * Roelof Schuiling, STS-82 Payload Operations Engineer
  * Ed Priselac, Shuttle Weather Officer

• Crew arrival replay ----- (to follow briefing)

• Countdown Status Briefing ----- 9:00 a.m.
  * Doug Lyons, NASA Test Director
  * Roelof Schuiling, STS-82 Payload Manager
  * Ed Priselac, Shuttle Weather Officer

• Pre-launch News Conference ----- 3:30 p.m.
  (or immediately following the management team's meeting)

  * Tommy Holloway, Shuttle Program Manager, Johnson Space Center
  * Dr. Wesley Huntress, Ass. Admin., Office of Space Science, NASA HQ
  * Ian Pryke, European Space Agency
  * Bob Sieck, Director of Shuttle Operations, KSC
  * Capt. Scott Jacobs, Launch Weather Officer

• Countdown Status Briefing ----- 9:00 a.m.
  * Doug Lyons, NASA Test Director
  * Roelof Schuiling, STS-82 Payload Manager
  * Ed Priselac, Shuttle Weather Officer

• Rotating Service Structure moves (press departure at 9 a.m.) ----- 9:30 a.m.

• Remote Camera Setup at Pad ----- 10:30 a.m.

• News media orientation tour (optional depending on interest) ----- 1:00 p.m.

• Tanking begins ----- 7:36 p.m.

• NASA Television live launch programming begins ----- 11:00 p.m.

• Launch of Discovery ----- 3:56 a.m.

• Post-launch press conference ----- L + 1 hour
  * Loren Shriver, manager, Space Shuttle Program Launch Integration
  * Jim Harrington, KSC Launch Director

(Launch minus 4 days) Friday, Feb. 7	 	7:00 a.m.  -  4:30 p.m. 
(Launch minus 3 days) Saturday, Feb. 8	 	8:00 a.m.  -  4:30 p.m. 
(Launch minus 2 days) Sunday, Feb. 9	 	8:00 a.m.  -  7:00 p.m.
(Launch minus 1 day) Monday, Feb. 10	 	8:00 a.m.  -  around-the-
(Launch day) Flight day 1, Tuesday, Feb. 11	   -clock  -  4:30 p.m. 

(Times may vary and be adjusted in real time depending on mission events and timelines.)

News media representatives may obtain STS-82 mission credentials at the Pass and Identification Building at Gate 2 on State Road 3, Merritt Island, during the following times:

News media with annual Shuttle credentials are reminded to sign the log book at the photo and interview counter in the News Center.

NEWS MEDIA ARE REQUIRED TO BE UNDER PUBLIC AFFAIRS ESCORT EXCEPT WHEN DRIVING TO THE NEWS CENTER OR THE COMPLEX 39 CAFETERIA.

NEWS MEDIA ARE ALLOWED AT THE PRESS SITE ONLY WHEN PUBLIC AFFAIRS PERSONNEL ARE ON DUTY AND THE NASA NEWS CENTER IS OPEN. THIS IS NOT A 24-HOUR DAY OPERATION.