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Deep Space 1 Planned For Launch On October 24

Though Deep Space 1 is a technology validation mission, it is scheduled to
encounter asteroid 1992 KD next July.

Ron Baalke
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October 19, 1998                                         
KSC Contact: George H. Diller
KSC Release No. 121-98

DEEP SPACE 1 PLANNED FOR LAUNCH ON DELTA II ROCKET OCT. 24

The launch of NASA's Deep Space 1 spacecraft aboard a Boeing Delta II
rocket is targeted to occur on Saturday, Oct. 24, 1998. The launch window
is 8:00:10 a.m. - 8:48:51 a.m. EDT, a duration of 48 minutes, 41 seconds.
Liftoff will occur from Pad A at Launch Complex 17 on Cape Canaveral Air
Station.

The launch of Deep Space 1 on Oct. 24 is predicated upon an on-time
launch of a commercial Pegasus rocket currently scheduled for Oct. 22.
Should a second-day launch opportunity be required for Pegasus, the
launch of Deep Space 1 will happen a day later than currently targeted,
occurring on Oct. 25. The launch window on Sunday is 6:59:50 a.m. - 7:46
a.m. EST, a duration of 46 minutes, sixteen seconds.

Deep Space 1 is designed to validate 12 new technologies for scientific
space missions of the next century. The goal is to make spacecraft
smaller, less expensive and more autonomous.

Among the experiments aboard is an ion propulsion engine strikingly
similar to those described in futuristic science fiction works. Also
being validated is software that tracks celestial bodies so that the
spacecraft can make its own navigation decisions without the intervention
of ground controllers.

Deep Space 1 has completed final checkout and was mated to the Boeing
Delta II (7326) rocket on Oct. 12. It was encapsulated in the Delta's
nose fairing for launch on Oct. 16.

                        PRELAUNCH NEWS CONFERENCE

A prelaunch news conference is planned for Friday, Oct. 23 at 11 a.m. in
the KSC News Center auditorium and will be carried live on NASA
Television. Participating in the briefing will be:

*Dr. Marc D. Rayman, Chief Mission Engineer, Deep Space 1
Jet Propulsion Laboratory

*Rich Murphy, Director of Launch Sites
Boeing Company

*Ray Lugo, NASA Launch Manager
Kennedy Space Center

*Bruce Clark, Delta Launch Vehicle Manager,
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

*Leslie Livesay, Spacecraft Manager, Deep Space 1
Jet Propulsion Laboratory

*Joel Tumbiolo, Launch Weather Officer,
Department of the Air Force, 45th Weather Squadron

Should the Deep Space 1 launch be rescheduled for Sunday, Oct. 25, the
prelaunch news conference will be held on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 11 a.m.
EDT.

No post-launch news conference is planned.

                              ACCREDITATION

Those media without permanent accreditation who wish to cover the launch
of Deep Space 1 including the prelaunch news conference on L-1 day should
send a letter of request to the NASA-KSC News Center on news organization
letterhead. It should include name and Social Security number or passport
number. Letters should be faxed to 407/867-2692 or addressed to:

                    Deep Space 1 Launch Accreditation
                                NASA AB-F1
                      Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899

Deep Space 1 mission badges may be picked up on Friday, Oct. 23, at the
News Media Pass & Identification building located at Gate 2 on SR 3,
Merritt Island 8 - 11 a.m. On launch day, Deep Space 1 mission badges
will be available at Gate 1 on Cape Canaveral Air Station located on SR
401 starting at 6:30 a.m. immediately prior to departure for Press Site
1. Should the launch be rescheduled for Oct. 25, mission badges will be
issued at 5:30 a.m.

STS-95 mission badges will be valid for the prelaunch news conference on
L-1 day. However, a Deep Space 1 mission badge is required for all media
covering the launch from Press Site 1 on launch day. For further
information on Deep Space 1 launch accreditation contact Selina Scorah at
the NASA News Center at 407/867-2468.

                              REMOTE CAMERAS

On L-1 day at 9 a.m. a NASA van will depart from the NASA-KSC News Center
for Launch Complex 17 for media photographers who wish to establish
remote cameras at the pad.

                           LAUNCH DAY COVERAGE

Media covering the launch should assemble at Gate 1 of Cape Canaveral Air
Station at 6:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24, to convoy to Press Site 1.
Should launch be rescheduled for Sunday, Oct. 25, media should assemble
at Gate 1 at 5:30 a.m. After launch and spacecraft separation, media may
leave via Gate 1 only.

The codaphone will carry Deep Space 1 prelaunch status reports beginning
on Thursday, Oct. 22 and may be dialed at 407/867-2525. This status
report will be updated should the Oct. 24 target launch date change to
Oct. 25 as result of the Pegasus launch attempt.

                  NASA TELEVISION AND V CIRCUIT COVERAGE

NASA Television will carry the prelaunch news conference starting at 11
a.m. EDT on Friday, Oct. 23. On launch day, Saturday, Oct. 24, countdown
coverage will begin at 6:30 a.m. EDT and continue until a successful
launch can be confirmed. This occurs upon acquisition of Deep Space 1 by
the Deep Space Network's tracking station at Canberra, Australia,
approximately 90 minutes after launch.

Should the first launch attempt occur on Sunday, Oct. 25, commentary will
begin at 5:30 a.m. EST.

NASA Television is available on GE-2, transponder 9C, located at 85
degrees West longitude. Audio only of all Deep Space 1 activities will
also be available on the "V" circuits which may be dialed directly at
407/867-1220, 1240 or 1260.

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