Grey Hautaluoma/Ashley Edwards
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-0668/1756
grey.hautaluoma-1@nasa.gov
ashley.edwards-1@nasa.gov

Rebecca Powell
Wallops Flight Facility, Wallops Island, Va.
757-824-1139
rebecca.h.powell@nasa.gov

Keith Henry
Langley Research Center, Hampton, Va.
757-864-6120/344-7211
h.k.henry@nasa.gov

MEDIA ADVISORY: M09-105

NASA RESCHEDULES TEST OF MAX LAUNCH ABORT SYSTEM

WALLOPS ISLAND, Va. -- Because of weather concerns and launch site
preparation needs, NASA has rescheduled the test launch of the Max
Launch Abort System, or MLAS, to no earlier than June 20 at the
agency's Wallops Flight Facility on Wallops Island, Va. The launch
window June 20 extends from approximately 5:45 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. EDT.
The launch had been scheduled previously for June 15.

The unpiloted test is part of an effort to design a system for safely
propelling future spacecraft and crews away from hazards on the
launch pad or during the climb to orbit. This system was developed as
an alternative concept to the launch abort system chosen for NASA's
Orion crew capsule.

The 33-foot-high MLAS vehicle will be launched to an altitude of
approximately one mile to simulate an emergency on the launch pad. A
full-scale mockup of the crew module will separate from the launch
vehicle and parachute into the Atlantic Ocean.

Reporters are invited to attend the test and a postlaunch briefing.
Journalists must request credentials from Rebecca Powell by calling
757-824-1139 before 4 p.m., June 17. For more information about
participating in the postlaunch news briefing by telephone, contact
Powell or Keith Henry before noon, June 19.

For more information about MLAS, visit:



http://www.nasa.gov/centers/wallops/missions/mlas.html


For more information about the Constellation Program, visit:



http://www.nasa.gov/constellation