Katherine Trinidad
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-3749
katherine.trinidad@nasa.gov

George Diller
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468
george.h.diller@nasa.gov

MEDIA ADVISORY: M07-129

NASA ANNOUNCES NEWS CONFERENCE ON STATUS OF NEXT SHUTTLE LAUNCH

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA managers have scheduled a news conference
at the Kennedy Space Center, Fla., no earlier than 3 p.m. EDT,
Tuesday, Oct. 16, to discuss the status of the upcoming space shuttle
mission. The news conference will begin after the conclusion of the
Flight Readiness Review, or FRR, which is chaired by NASA's Associate
Administrator for Space Operations Bill Gerstenmaier.

A two-day preliminary review to assess preparations for shuttle
Discovery's mission, designated STS-120, was held Oct. 9-10. Space
Shuttle Program Manager Wayne Hale chaired that meeting and will
provide a summary to the Oct. 16 executive-level FRR. The Oct. 16
review is expected to include the selection of an official launch
date for Discovery's voyage to the International Space Station. The
current targeted launch time is 11:38 a.m. on Oct. 23.

Briefing participants are:
- NASA Associate Administrator Chris Scolese
- Associate Administrator for Space Operations Bill Gerstenmaier
- Space Shuttle Program Manager Wayne Hale
- Space Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach

The briefing will be broadcast live on NASA Television and the
agency's Web site. Media may ask questions from participating NASA
locations. Reporters should contact their preferred NASA center to
confirm its participation.

For NASA TV streaming video, downlink and scheduling information,
visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

For STS-120 crew and mission information, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle