NASA Announces News Conference on Status of Next Shuttle Launch

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., May 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- NASA managers have scheduled a news conference at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida for no earlier than 4 p.m. EDT on Monday, May 19, to discuss the status of the next space shuttle launch. The news conference will begin after the conclusion of the Flight Readiness Review, a meeting to assess preparations for shuttle Discovery's STS-124 mission to the International Space Station.

The review is expected to include the selection of an official launch date. Discovery is targeted to launch May 31 at 5:02 p.m.

The briefing participants are:

- Associate Administrator for Space Operations Bill Gerstenmaier

- Space Shuttle Program Manager John Shannon

- International Space Station Program Manager Mike Suffredini

- STS-124 Assistant Launch Director Ed Mango

NASA Television and the agency's Web site will broadcast the briefing live. 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-124 crew and mission information, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle