SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C 331468

Aug. 10, 2006

Katherine Trinidad Headquarters, Washington 202-358-3749

Bruce Buckingham Kennedy Space Center, Fla. 321-867-2468

NASA ANNOUNCES POST READINESS REVIEW PRESS CONFERENCE

NASA officials will host a news conference no earlier than 2 p.m. EDT, Wednesday, Aug. 16, following a two-day detailed assessment of the readiness of Space Shuttle Atlantis for launch. The briefing will air live on NASA TV from the Kennedy Space Center, Fla.

The news conference follows the traditional Flight Readiness Review, a thorough assessment of preparations for the mission. The Aug. 15-16 meeting is designed to produce a number of key decisions about Atlantis' mission, STS-115, including selection of an official launch date.

Briefing participants:

-- Michael Griffin, NASA administrator -- Bill Gerstenmaier, associate administrator for Space Operations -- Wayne Hale, Space Shuttle Program manager -- Mike Leinbach, NASA launch director

The specific start time of the news conference depends on the meeting's conclusion. Questions will be taken from media at participating NASA locations. Media must contact NASA centers by 5 p.m. EDT, Tuesday, Aug. 15 for access information.

For NASA TV streaming video, downlink and scheduling information, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

For STS-115 crew and mission information, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

-end-