Ceremony Reset for ESA Handover of Tranquility to NASA

WASHINGTON, Nov 05, 2009 /PRNewswire-USNewswire via COMTEX/ -- The transfer of ownership of the Tranquility node from the European Space Agency, or ESA, to NASA has been rescheduled for 2 p.m. EST, Friday, Nov. 20. NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida will host the commemorative ceremony at NASA's Space Station Processing Facility.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081007/38461LOGO ) Tranquility is a pressurized module that will provide room for many of the station's life support systems. Attached to the node is a cupola, a unique work station with windows on its six sides and top. The module will be delivered to the station during space shuttle Endeavour's STS-130 mission, targeted for launch Feb. 4, 2010.

Tranquility is the last element of a barter agreement for station hardware. ESA contributed the node in exchange for NASA's delivery of ESA's Columbus laboratory to the station. Thales Alenia Space in Turin, Italy, built the module.

NASA, ESA, Thales and Boeing managers involved in building and processing the node for flight will be available for a question-and-answer session after the ceremony. Journalists planning to attend must arrive at Kennedy's news center by 1 p.m. Participants must be dressed in full-length pants, flat shoes that entirely cover the feet, and shirts with sleeves.

Reporters without permanent Kennedy credentials should submit a request online at: https://media.ksc.nasa.gov International media accreditation for this event is closed. U.S. reporters must apply by 4:30 p.m., Nov. 17. For more information on the space station, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/station SOURCE NASA URL: http://www.nasa.gov www.prnewswire.com Copyright (C) 2009 PR Newswire. All rights reserved -0- KEYWORD: District of Columbia INDUSTRY KEYWORD: ARO SUBJECT CODE: POL

EXE

MAV

EGV