NASA - Space Shuttle Discovery

December 16, 2006, Washington, D.C.
Contact: Washington Foreign Press Center Program Officer Christopher Teal
Telephone: 202-504-6354; Email: tealcl@state.gov

The Washington Foreign Press Center hosted a day-long program during the most recent mission of the Space Shuttle Discovery which gave journalists an overview of human space exploration and looked at the future of international cooperation in space.  A tour of the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum followed briefings by Roger D. Launius, of the Museum's Division of Space History and Priscilla Strain, from the Center for Earth and Planetary Studies.  Additional interviews were provided by Dr. Howard McCurdy, space specialist at American University and Dr. W. Michael Hawes, NASA's Deputy Associate Administrator for Program Integration in the Office of Space Operations.  Finally, the journalists were able to participate in a link at NASA headquarters for a live interview with crew of the International Space Station and Space Shuttle Discovery.