For Release: July 15, 1999

Dave Drachlis
Media Relations Office
(256) 544-0034
Dave.Drachlis@msfc.nasa.gov
/centers/msfc/NEWSROOM/

Media Advisory: 99-141

Chandra X-ray Observatory News Center Opens July 18;
Will Provide Special Media Services in Cambridge, Mass.

NASA’s Chandra Observatory news center opens July 18 for media covering the launch and activation of the world’s largest and most powerful X-ray telescope. Chandra is scheduled to launch July 20 on board the Space Shuttle Columbia from the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, Fla.

The news center is located at the Chandra X-ray Observatory Operations Control Center in Cambridge, Mass., where it will open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EDT July 18. Beginning July 19 at 8 a.m. EDT, the news center will operate round-the-clock until the Shuttle lands July 24.

Beginning July 25, the news center will resume its 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EDT schedule until after Chandra reaches its operational orbit, on or about July 30.

Telephone numbers for the Chandra news center are:

(617) 496-4454

(617) 496-4462

(617) 496-4484

The news center is located on the first floor of the Draper Laboratory building, at the intersection of Hampshire and Broadway. The street address is One Hampshire.

Media covering the Chandra launch and activation from the news center will have opportunities for interviews with the Chandra team, to participate in status briefings, and have access to a special control room viewing area.

Media in Cambridge also will receive status reports on Chandra and the STS-93 mission, and can participate in interactive televised briefings on the mission originating from other NASA centers.

Up-to-date, comprehensive information on the Chandra X-ray Observatory is available to news media over the Internet at:

http://chandra.nasa.gov

The latest status reports, news releases, photos, fact sheets and background archives, as well as links to other Chandra-related sites, are available at this Web address.

Media wanting to receive status reports via fax or e-mail may call the news center.

During the launch and on-orbit activation and checkout of the observatory, an audio report on Chandra’s status will be available by phone at:

(256)544-NEWS

After July 31, information on Chandra’s continuing activation and checkout will be available by calling the Marshall Space Flight Center’s Media Relations Department at (256) 544-0034.

For other news from the Marshall Space Flight Center, visit Marshall’s News Center Website at: /centers/msfc/NEWSROOM/

- 30 -