Michael Braukus/J.D. Harrington
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1979/5241
michael.j.braukus@nasa.gov/j.d.harrington@nasa.gov
Josh Byerly
Johnson Space Center, Houston
281-483-5111
josh.byerly@nasa.gov
Amy Johnson
Langley Research Center, Hampton, Va.
757-864-7022/272-9859 (mobile)
amy.johnson@nasa.gov
MEDIA ADVISORY: M11-218
MEDIA INVITED TO ORION SPACECRAFT WATER LANDING TEST AT LANGLEY
HAMPTON, Va. -- Reporters are invited to attend a water impact test of
an 18,000-pound Orion test article at NASA's Langley Research
Center's Hydro Impact Basin in Hampton, Va., on Thursday, Oct. 27.
Journalists must arrive by 1:30 p.m. EDT at the NASA Langley main
gate. The test will occur between 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Due to the nature
of the testing; an exact drop time cannot be given. Journalists also
will have the opportunity to interview subject matter experts and
take a tour of the facility prior to the test. If the drop test date
changes due to weather or technical reasons, NASA will issue an
advisory to journalists of the change.
Testing began this summer at Langley at the Hydro Impact Basin to
certify the Orion spacecraft for water landings. The Orion will carry
astronauts into space, providing emergency abort capability,
sustaining the crew during space travel, and ensuring safe re-entry
and landing.
The Hydro Impact Basin is 115 feet long, 90 feet wide and 20 feet
deep. It is located at the west end of Langley's historic Landing and
Impact Research Facility, or Gantry, where Apollo astronauts trained
for moon walks.
To ensure access and badging, reporters must contact Amy Johnson by
phone at 757-272-9859 or by email at amy.johnson@nasa.gov by 4 p.m.
on Wednesday. To attend the tour, journalists must have their
organization identification and wear proper attire, which includes
closed-toe shoes.
For video and still imagery that documents ground breaking of the
Hydro Impact Basin through various stages of Orion testing, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/langley/exploration/hib.html For more information about NASA and agency programs, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov
