NEWS

WIRES

OTHER

NASA To Announce Winner of Space Station Student Naming Contest

NASA's newest module for the International Space Station is about to be given a new name. NASA's Kennedy Space Center hosts a media event on Thursday, March 15, at noon EDT to unveil the Node 2 module's new name.

The name was chosen from an academic competition involving thousands of students in kindergarten through high school. The Node 2 Challenge required students to learn about the International Space Station, build a scale model of the module, and write an essay explaining their proposed name. This will be the first U.S. piece of the space station named by someone other than a NASA official.

Media planning to attend the event should arrive at Kennedy's Press Site by 11 a.m. for transportation to the Space Station Processing Facility. Node 2 is being prepared there for its space shuttle Atlantis flight, designated STS-120, which is targeted for launch later this year. Media without permanent Kennedy credentials should submit their request online at:

https://media.ksc.nasa.gov

During the event, STS-120 astronauts and NASA and Boeing managers will be available to discuss Node 2 and answer questions. The station processing facility is an operational area. All event participants must dress in full-length pants, flat shoes that entirely cover the feet and shirts with sleeves.

Video of the event will air on NASA Television's Video File segment. For NASA TV downlink, streaming video and scheduling information, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

Node 2 is a pressurized module that will act as a connecting port and passageway to additional international science labs and supply spacecraft. It also will be a work platform for the station's robotic arm. For more information on the station and Node 2, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/station

Source: NASA