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Two Virgina Astronauts to Fly on Next Space Shuttle Mission

Posted on: Wednesday, 16 September 2009, 12:35 CDT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., Sept 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The next space shuttle mission to the International Space Station will feature two Virginia-born astronauts, Leland Melvin and Robert Satcher. Shuttle Atlantis is targeted to launch at 4:10 p.m. EST on Nov. 12 from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081007/38461LOGO )

Melvin, born in Lynchburg, Va., will make his second journey into space on this flight, designated STS-129. Satcher, born in Hampton, Va., will conduct two spacewalks during his first spaceflight. The 11-day mission will deliver two spare parts platforms that will be installed to the space station's exterior to sustain station operations after the shuttle is retired.

To cover the launch on-site, U.S. reporters must request credentials for Kennedy by Oct. 29. Media should submit requests online at:

https://media.ksc.nasa.gov

NASA will hold a news conference with Atlantis' six crew members at 2 p.m. EDT on Oct. 16. NASA Television and the agency's Web site will provide live coverage of the briefings from NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. For NASA TV streaming video, schedules and downlink information, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

Also on Oct. 16, Melvin and Satcher will be available for a round-robin interview at Johnson. Reporters must contact Gayle Frere at 281-483-8645 by Oct. 13 to reserve an interview opportunity.

For Melvin's complete biography, visit:

http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/melvin.html

For Satcher's complete biography, visit:

http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/satcher-rl.html

For the latest information about the STS-129 mission and crew, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

John Yembrick Headquarters, Washington 202-358-1100 john.yembrick-1@nasa.gov Allard Beutel Kennedy Space Center, Fla. 321-867-2468 allard.beutel@nasa.gov

SOURCE NASA

Source: PR Newswire

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