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

Alan Buis
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.
818-354-0474
alan.buis@jpl.nasa.gov

MEDIA ADVISORY: M15-11

AQUARIUS/SAC-D INTERNATIONAL MEDIA ACCREDITATION NOW OPEN

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- International media who would
like to cover the launch of Aquarius/SAC-D at Vandenberg Air Force
Base in California need to apply for accreditation by May 9.

The launch of Aquarius/SAC-D aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta II
rocket from NASA's Space Launch Complex 2 is targeted for June 9 at
7:20 a.m. PDT. Due to U.S. Air Force requirements, international
media must apply for accreditation 30 days or more before the launch.

International media should contact:

Jeremy Eggers
30th Space Wing Public Affairs Office
Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.

Telephone: 805-606-3595
FAX: 805-606-4571
E-mail: jeremy.eggers@vandenberg.af.mil

Information required is full legal name, date of birth, nationality,
passport number and media affiliation. A legal photo identification
will be required upon arrival at Vandenberg.

Aquarius, the NASA-built primary instrument on the SAC-D spacecraft,
will map global changes in salinity, which is the concentration of
dissolved salt, at the ocean surface. Salinity is a key measurement
for understanding how changes in rainfall, evaporation, and the
melting or freezing of ice influence ocean circulation and are linked
to variations in Earth's climate. The three-year mission will provide
new insights into how variations in ocean surface salinity relate to
these fundamental climate processes.

Launch management is provided by NASA's Launch Services Program at the
agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The Aquarius/SAC-D mission is a collaboration between NASA and
Argentina's space agency with participation by Brazil, Canada, France
and Italy.

For more information about the Aquarius/SAC-D mission, visit:

http://aquarius.nasa.gov/