NEWS MEDIA CONTACTS

NEWS MEDIA CONTACTS

Maria McCullough Acting Director, Communications Space Exploration Integrated Defense Systems The Boeing Company 281-226-6841 Maria.mccullough@

Edmund G. Memi Manager, Media Relations Space Exploration Integrated Defense Systems The Boeing Company 281-226-4029 edmund.g.memi@

Tanya Deason-Sharp Media Relations (Houston site) Space Exploration Integrated Defense Systems The Boeing Company 281-226-6070 tanya.e.deason-sharp@

Susan Wells Internal/External Communications (Florida Operations) Space Exploration Integrated Defense Systems The Boeing Company 321-264-8579 Susan.h.wells@

Kennedy Space Center Launch Activities (recorded message) 321-867-2525

Kennedy Space Center Newsroom 321-867-2468

Johnson Space Center Newsroom 281-483-5111

Marshall Space Flight Center Newsroom 256-544-0034

A COLOR GUIDE TO THE STS-117 REPORTER'S SPACE FLIGHT NOTEPAD

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AMERICA'S SPACE EXPLORATION MISSION

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SPACE FLIGHT AWARENESS PROGRAM

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BUILDING THE FUTURE OF FLIGHT TOGETHER

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BOEING AND THE SPACE SHUTTLE

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BOEING AND THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION

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SPACE SHUTTLE MISSION FACTS

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UPCOMING SPACE SHUTTLE MISSIONS THROUGH 2007

AMERICA'S SPACE EXPLORATION MISSION

The vision to inspire begins with a dream of hope and knowledge and ends with a mission of purpose and realization. In that manner, the nation's space exploration vision embodies humankind's instinctual desire to understand the fundamental questions about its existence and place in the cosmic universe.

Returning humans to the moon and then eventually sending them to Mars nurtures humankind's desire to push beyond the boundaries of the obvious and open the doors to a new frontier of possibilities.

Just as legendary American explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, Robert Peary, Charles Beebe and Neil Armstrong guided the world toward new experiences and possibilities on land, sea and space, the imminent pioneers of the universe will motivate future generations to investigate, cultivate and achieve.

During the past 10 years alone, astronomers have discovered the first solar system besides our own, lakes on Saturn's moon Titan, the strongest evidence to date that water still flows occasionally on Mars, more than 100 planets orbiting other stars and another planet in our solar system. The nation's invigorated space exploration directive will bolster these accomplishments by increasing the use of robotic exploration to maximize our understanding of the solar system and pave the way for more far-reaching manned missions.

Robotic explorers will visit new worlds first to obtain scientific data, assess risks to astronauts, demonstrate breakthrough technologies, identify space resources and later send imagery back to Earth. Among these modern marvels are the highly successful and operational NASA Mars Exploration Rovers, Spirit and Opportunity. NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter will gather data about possible moon landing sites and the polar regions and is scheduled for launch in fall 2008.

The space shuttle is still the workhorse of the space program and laying the foundation for manned missions to the moon and to distant locations that now only robots travel. The lessons learned from this innovative machine and the space program's Apollo heritage have spurred advancements in space transportation concepts that will become the ferry fleet of the future.

The space shuttle will retire in 2010, and its chief purpose until then will be to help finish assemble the International Space Station (ISS), fulfilling the commitment to our partner countries. Research on board the ISS will help us better understand and overcome the effects of human space flight on astronaut health, increasing the safety of planned future space missions.

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The space station's future vital role is evident with the United States' plans for the new manned space exploration vehicle, being developed under NASA's Constellation Program. The Orion crew exploration vehicle will succeed the space shuttle and have a piloted and robotic cargo capability to the ISS, along with the ability to make rendezvous with transportation elements in high Earth orbit.

Orion builds on the success of the Apollo command and lunar modules and benefits from recent advances in propulsion and electronic technologies. Orion will be about three times larger than Apollo and ferry humans to the moon, Mars and other destinations in our solar system.

Orion is a modular system and comprises a service module, crew module, launch abort system and spacecraft adapter that mounts it to its launch vehicle. The crew module carries a crew of up to six astronauts to the space station or four astronauts to the moon. The service module carries the major support subsystems such as propulsion, avionics and thermal management.

The launch abort system will allow astronauts to escape the launch vehicle and land safely in the event of a launchrelated problem. This launch abort system is a new feature to make spaceflight systems significantly safer during the most critical part of a mission, the launch.

The entire Orion configuration will launch aboard a new launch system called Ares I. The Ares I is an inline, twostage rocket configuration topped by the Orion crew vehicle and its launch abort system. In addition to the vehicle's primary mission--carrying crews of four to six astronauts to Earth orbit--Ares I may also use its 25-ton payload capacity to deliver resources and supplies to the space station or to "park" payloads in orbit for retrieval by other spacecraft bound for the moon or other destinations.

During lunar missions, Orion will be mated in low Earth orbit with two additional modules: a propulsion module called the Earth departure stage that will allow Orion to travel to lunar orbit and a lunar lander. Once in lunar orbit, the lunar lander will separate from Orion and carry astronauts to the lunar surface. Orion, meanwhile, will orbit autonomously for up to 6 months while its crew explores the lunar surface.

The realization of extended human stays on the moon, like the opportunity Orion provides, is already helping fuel dialogue among private industry about space commerce opportunities.

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Space commerce reflects industry's desire to compete. Free market competition generates products and services that bolster consumer interest and global economies. So a partnership between NASA and private industry for commercial space profit sharing will bring appreciable benefits on Earth.

If water ice is found on the moon, for example, a company could be involved in extracting the elements of the compound as a means to manufacture rocket fuel on the moon. The fuel could power vehicles headed beyond the moon towards Mars, lowering space exploration costs.

Additionally, advertising and branding activities would abound. Video cameras on robotic spacecraft could beam high-definition imagery down to Earth for use in publicizing company products and services. Media opportunities for producing documentaries and other movie-making activities would also be possible--all steering the public's gaze toward space and the science, math and engineering leading us there.

In the vastness of space, like all great frontiers, there is the potential to extend humankind's knowledge far beyond what our imaginations can theorize. Thus, exploration and discovery are key agents of growth in society and can only lead to the nation's technological, economic, social, international and intellectual advancement. The accomplishments of U.S. space explorers are a potent symbol of what the human spirit can achieve.

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SPACE FLIGHT AWARENESS PROGRAM

The Space Flight Awareness (SFA) Program is a NASAmanaged motivational program with invited representation from the Office of Space Flight Field Centers, other NASA Field Centers, and contractors having major responsibilities for human space flight mission success. This program meets the NASA requirement for contractors to participate in a NASA motivational program.

Program Purpose:

SFA has established the following goals and objectives to:

? Ensure every employee involved in human space flight is aware of the importance of his or her role in promoting safety, quality, and mission success.

? Increase awareness of the human space flight program accomplishments, milestones, and objectives with a focus on safety and mission success.

? Conduct events and produce products that motivate and recognize the workforce and enhance employee morale.

? Function as an internal communications team to disseminate key educational, program/management safety, quality, and mission success messages and themes.

Program Background:

The SFA Program became a formal program following the Mercury and Gemini programs, when NASA took steps to infuse the space program with a renewed and strengthened consciousness of quality and flight safety. As NASA human space flight programs grew, NASA centers were requested to expand their assistance to government agencies and contractors in enhancing employee motivation. SFA soon became a key element of the human space program.

As it grew in stature, the SFA Program played an integral and increasingly forceful role in the Apollo, Skylab, and Apollo-Soyuz projects. By the time the space shuttle was flying, the program had begun to promote its goals through various motivational vehicles: awards, films, publications, posters, and an array of pins, buttons, banners, and decals.

Today as we continue with the Space Shuttle Program and begin the tremendous task, along with our international partners, of completing assembly of the International Space Station, those motivational elements, especially the SFA awards, distinguish a vigorous, effective program for involving employees in the production of quality space hardware, software, and services.

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BUILDING THE FUTURE OF FLIGHT TOGETHER

From their common beginnings as builders of biplanes to the exploration of space, Boeing, North American, and McDonnell Douglas share a unique aerospace heritage. Today, as one company, Boeing continues to pioneer the exploration of space.

As the Space Age dawned, each company translated its aeronautical expertise into humankind's greatest engineering feat--sending astronauts to the moon and returning them safely to Earth.

Following the success of the Apollo program, the companies continued working together in space.

When North American Rockwell began developing six space shuttles, Boeing and McDonnell Douglas joined as key partners.

McDonnell Douglas developed aft propulsion pods to control the shuttle while in orbit. It also provided structural parts for the boosters that lift shuttles into space.

Boeing modified two 747 jetliners to piggyback shuttles from landing sites in California to launch pads in Florida. One of the jumbo jets also helped test the first shuttle, which was released from the 747 at an altitude of 22,800 feet before gliding to a perfect landing.

In addition, Boeing developed the Inertial Upper Stage used by shuttle crews to boost satellites into higher orbits.

The shuttle fleet has been transporting humans and cargo to space since 1981 and has completed more than 115 missions. Innovations in the shuttle's design, such as a "glass cockpit," much like ones in modern airliners, improve safety and performance.

Even before the mergers, McDonnell Douglas and Boeing were part of the Boeing-led program to develop the International Space Station. They produced key components, including the massive solar panels, the U.S. Laboratory "Destiny," and the truss that forms the station's structural backbone.

Since then, Boeing was named NASA's lead contractor for the ISS. This includes design to delivery of U.S.-built elements. Boeing is also the major subcontractor to United Space Alliance for NASA's Space Flight Operations Contract. Boeing is responsible for sustaining engineering support to operations throughout all missions. Additionally, the Boeing team provides overall shuttle system and payload integration services, and launch and mission support.

Once completed, the million-pound space station will include six laboratories and have an internal volume roughly equivalent to the passenger cabin of 1.5 747 jumbo jets. The orbital research facility recently completed its sixth year of continuous human presence.

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