Media Guide

Covering Orbital Launch Missions

from the

NASA Wallops Flight Facility

October 19, 2006

INDEX
Overview 2
Wallops Location 2
NASA Wallops Flight Facility PAO Contacts 2
Accreditation Requirements 3
Registration/Badging 4
Media Center 4
Telephone Service
Web Service
Parking
Photo Opportunities
Television and radio transmission
Press Conferences
Launch viewing site 5
Airports 5
Accommodations 5
Maps 6
Frequency Utilization Form 8
TacSat 2 Addendum 13
Mission Overview
Launch Window
PAO Contacts
Media Center
Hours of Operations
Deadlines
Accreditation Requests
Internet Access Requests
Live Broadcast Transmission Requests
Press Conferences
Launch Viewing

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Overview
This guide is to assist media in covering orbital rocket launch missions from the NASA Wallops Flight
Facility and the launch facilities of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport. Information for specific
missions is listed in the addendum.

Wallops has been launching rockets capable of placing satellites in Earth orbit since 1960, with the
launch of the NASA Scout rocket. Nearly 30 ground-based and air-launched orbital missions have been
conducted from the NASA-owned launch range. In addition, during its 61-year history, the facility has
launched more than 15,000 rockets including suborbital sounding rockets, meteorological rockets, test
rockets, and Department of Defense targets.

Wallops Location
The Wallops Flight Facility is located near Chincoteague on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. The facility is
within driving distance of several metropolitan areas – about two hours from Hampton roads, three
hours from Washington/Baltimore, and four hours from Philadelphia.

The Main Base of Wallops is located on Va. Rt. 175 about four miles from US Highway 13. The
Wallops NASA Visitor Center also is located on Rt. 175 adjacent to the Wallops runways, about six
miles from US 13 and five miles from Chincoteague. Wallops Island and the launch sites are
approximately 7 miles south of the Main Base

Wallops Public Affairs Contacts

The following Wallops Public Affairs Office personnel may be contacted for information on missions
conducted at the facility:

Keith Koehler
757-824-1579
keith.a.koehler@nasa.gov

Betty Flowers
757-824-1584
elizabeth.b.flowers@nasa.gov

Rebecca Hudson
757-824-1139
rebecca.s.hudson@nasa.gov

Office fax: 757-824-1971

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 Accreditation Requirements
It is Wallops’ policy to provide maximum access to legitimate media representatives and their support personnel, subject only to
conditions essential for the protection of personnel, property, and classified information.

Media representatives are defined as those who are actively engaged in the pursuit of information distribution in any manner or
form about the space program or other Wallops/NASA activities. Examples of media are as follows:

 Newspaper Journalist  Feature Film (Producer/Director, etc.)

 Television Journalist  Documentary (Producer/Director, etc.)
 Photo Journalist  Television Production (Producer/Director, etc.)
 Magazine Journalist  Photographer (Professional)
 Online (Internet) Journalist  Videographer (Professional)
 Radio Broadcaster  Artist (Professional)
 Novelist  Contractor Public Relations Personnel
 Screenwriter  Freelancer*
 Playwright

*Freelancers in any of the above categories are granted access to Wallops if they qualify under one of the following two conditions:

1. They must be on assignment for a professionally recognized organization and the request for accreditation is made by that
organization. A freelancer cannot request accreditation on behalf of the organization that he or she is representing.
2. The freelancer has had previous accomplishments that are highly visible, respected and widely recognized.

Request Requirements
The minimum lead time for accreditation requests for orbital missions is as follows:

 7-day minimum lead time for all U.S. citizens requesting access to Wallops
 30-day minimum lead time for foreign nationals visiting Wallops and who are not on the U. S. Department of State
"designated countries" list
 60 days minimum lead time for:
o All foreign nationals requesting a visit to Wallops who are from countries on the U. S. Department of
State list of "designated countries"

Requests for accreditation may be submitted by faxing (757-824-1971) the requests on the letterhead of
the news media organization or by email (rebecca.s.hudson@nasa.gov). Media must use work, not
personal, e-mail addresses when applying. Once accreditation is approved, media will receive a
confirmation via e-mail.

The following information is required when requesting accreditation:

 Media organization
 Name
 U.S. citizens must enter a Social Security Number
 Alien Card (Green Card) Holder may enter Social Security Number or Alien Card Number
 Naturalized Citizens may enter Social Security Number or Passport Number
 Foreign Nationals may enter Passport Number or Visa Number
 All visitors must enter their Date of Birth

No one under 16 years of age will be badged for press accreditation or allowed at the media launch
viewing site.

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Registration/Badging
Upon arrival at Wallops, the Media Center is located at the NASA Visitor Center on Rt. 175. Badges
for the mission will be available at the Media Center. A photo ID is required to receive a badge. All
media badges must be picked up at least three hours before the launch to have access to the media
viewing site.

Media Center
The Media Center for Wallops is located on the grounds of the NASA Visitor Center on Rt. 175. Media
should check in at Bldg. J-93 upon their arrival for badging and updated schedules. Press conferences
will be held in the Visitor Center auditorium, which seats 119 people. A work area with table, chairs
and power is located in Bldg. J-17.

Hours of Operations
See the addendum for the mission

Telephone Service
There are no land-line telephones available at the media center. Media are advised to use
cell phones.

Web Service
A wireless guest network service will available in the Visitor Center auditorium. To
obtain guest network access, please notify rebecca.s.hudson@nasa.gov at least 7 days in
advance of the mission. The network is only available to media who are U.S. citizens.

Parking
Parking is available at the Visitor center and the media launch viewing site.
Transportation will not be provided from the Media Center to the launch viewing site.

Photo Opportunities
Photographers should inquire at the Media Center for photo opportunities. There will be
no photo opportunities of the launch pad activities, except from the press viewing site, on
the day of the launch.

Remote cameras may be set up on Wallops Island for the launch. Inquire at the Media
Center for camera set-up schedule. Only sound or light activated systems for the remote
cameras may be used.

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 Television and radio transmission
Use of transmitting equipment, excluding cell phones and similar commercial
communication devices, on the Wallops Flight Facility is prohibited without approval. A
request form for the use of transmitting equipment, such as mobile TV trucks, is included
in this guide (pages 8 – 12). Mobile TV systems may broadcast from the Visitor Center
and the media viewing site. Completed forms must be received at least four weeks prior
to the mission. Completed forms may be emailed to rebecca.s.hudson@nasa.gov or fax
to 757-824-1971.

Press Conferences
Pre and post launch press conferences will be held in the NASA Visitor Center
auditorium. Scheduled press conferences are listed in the mission addendum.

Launch Viewing Site

The media launch viewing site is located on the Wallops Mainland, seven miles south of the Visitor
Center. The viewing site is two miles across the marsh from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport’s
launch pads. Media going to the viewing site on the day of launch are responsible for their own
transportation. Media will be escorted from the Visitor Center to the media launch viewing site about
two hours prior to the opening of the launch window. See the mission addendum and inquire at the
Media Center for further information.

Airports
There are six airports within relatively close driving distance to Wallops. All airports have rental car
services.

Airport Drive to Wallops

Salisbury-Ocean City Wicomico Regional Airport (SBY) 1 hour
Norfolk International Airport (ORF) 2 hours
Newport News-Williamsburg International Airport (PHF) 3 hours
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) 3.5 hours
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) 4 hours
Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) 3 hours

Accommodations
There are several Chambers of Commerce and Tourism Offices in the local area that provide
information on lodging locations, restaurants and points of interest.

Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce http://www.chincoteaguechamber.com/

Eastern Shore of Virginia Tourism
Ocean City Chamber of Commerce
Worcester County Tourism
Wicomico County Convention & Tourism Bureau
Somerset County Tourism
http://www.esvatourism.org/home.asp
http://www.oceancity.com/
http://www.visitworcester.org/
http://www.wicomicotourism.org/portal/
http://www.visitsomerset.com/

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Area Maps

6
NASA Visitor
Center

Media Viewing
Site

Mid Atlantic
Regional
Spaceport Launch
Pad

7
Transmitting Equipment (TV Satellite Trucks) Request Form
INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETION OF WFUMWG FREQUENCY UTILIZATION REQUEST
FORM

I. GENERAL

A. Fill out form as completely as possible. Transmitter and antenna data is required for a safety
analysis.
B. Fill out all sections that are relevant to frequency being requested.
C. For Laser operations, substitute appropriate parameters and units.
1. If data is not available, use NAV.
2. If data is not applicable, use NAP.

II. FORMAT
1. FREQUENCY: Self-explanatory.
2. ORGANIZATION: List organization responsible for the frequency assignment and, if different, also
the organization using the frequency, e.g., GSFC/WFF - University of Virginia.
3. PROJECT: Official or common project name, e.g., VANDAL Project.
4. SPECIFY ALL COORDINATION REQUIREMENTS FOR AREAS OR ORGANIZATIONS
OUTSIDE WALLOPS FLIGHT FACILITY: This is for coordination before usage of frequencies that
are shared in the area affected by the radiated signals.
5. SPECIFY ALL COORDINATION REQUIREMENTS FOR AREAS OR ORGANIZATIONS
WITHIN WALLOPS FLIGHT FACILITY (NASA OR TENANTS): Same as for 4 above, except for
area of applicability.
6. STATION CLASS: As defined by the NTIA manual, e.g., FA (Aeronautical Station)
7. BANDWIDTH/EMISSION: As defined by the NTIA or FCC Manual, e.g., 1K24F1B.
8. IF A FREQUENCY BAND IS REQUESTED, DOES SYSTEM OPERATE ON DISCRETE
FREQUENCIES IN THE BAND, SPREAD SPECTRUM, FREQUENCY HOPPING, OR HOW?
Self-Explanatory.
9. ORGANIZATION/PROJECT CONTACT: The individual who can provide additional information, if
required, on the frequency assignment or usage.
10. CONTACT PHONE NUMBER: Self-explanatory.
11. DESCRIPTION, ETC.: Self-explanatory.
12. PERIOD OF USAGE: Self-explanatory.
13. TRANSMITTER DATA
A. NOMENCLATURE: Manufacturer, model, military designation, etc.
B. LOCATION: Physical description of transmitter location, e.g., north end of Wallops Island,
Building V-25.
C. TRANSMITTER PEAK POWER OUTPUT: Include power amplifier, if used. Do not
include antenna gain.
D. TRANSMITTER AVERAGE POWER OUTPUT: Include power amplifier, if used. Do not
include antenna gain.
E. PULSE WIDTH: Self-explanatory (for pulsed radiations).
F. MAXIMUM DUTY CYCLE: Self-explanatory (for pulsed radiations).
G. PULSE REPETITION FREQUENCY: Self-explanatory (for pulsed radiations).

8
 H. STABILITY: Percentage of carrier frequency.
I. ANTENNA TYPE: Give type and size if relevant, e.g., 36-foot dish.
J. ANTENNA HEIGHT ABOVE GROUND: To center of radiating element, dish, etc.
K. ANTENNA POLARIZATION: Self-explanatory.
L. ANTENNA GAIN: Self-explanatory.
M. ANTENNA, FIXED OR ROTATABLE: Self-explanatory.
N. ANTENNA, BEAM WIDTH - AZ: Self-explanatory.
O. ANTENNA, BEAM WIDTH - EL: Self-explanatory.
P. FIXED ANTENNA DIRECTION OF RADIATION: Provide AZ-EL angles.
Q. TRANSMISSION SYSTEM ATTENUATION LOSSES: Loss in connectors, filters, cables,
etc., if significant.
R. ANTENNA LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE: Self-explanatory.

14. RECEIVER DATA

A. NOMENCLATURE: Same as M.1. except for receiver.
B. LOCATION: Same as M.2. except for receiver.
C. STABILITY: Local oscillator stability in percentage of tuned frequency.
D. SENSITIVITY: Expressed in microvolt or dBm.
E. ANTENNA TYPE: Same as M.9. except for receiving antenna.
F. ANTENNA POLARIZATION: Self-explanatory.
G. ANTENNA GAIN: Self-explanatory.
H. ANTENNA, FIXED OR ROTATABLE: Self-explanatory.
I. ANTENNA, BEAM WIDTH - AZ: Self-explanatory.
J. ANTENNA, BEAM WIDTH - EL: Self-explanatory.
K. FIXED ANTENNA DIRECTION OF PATTERN: Provide AZ-EL angles.
L. ANTENNA LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE: Self-explanatory.

15. HAS FREQUENCY ALREADY BEEN ASSIGNED TO ORGANIZATION BY NTIA OR FCC

FOR AREA IN WHICH IT WILL BE USED? Self-explanatory.

16. MISCELLANEOUS COMMENTS: Self-explanatory.

9
 WALLOPS FREQUENCY UTILIZATION MANAGEMENT WORKING GROUP

FREQUENCY UTILIZATION REQUEST

IT IS REQUESTED THAT THE INDICATED FREQUENCY BE REVIEWED FOR USE AT THE

GSFC/WFF.

1. FREQUENCY:

2. ORGANIZATION:

3. PROJECT:

4. SPECIFY ALL COORDINATION REQUIREMENTS FOR AREAS OR ORGANIZATIONS

OUTSIDE WALLOPS FLIGHT FACILITY:

5. SPECIFY ALL COORDINATION REQUIREMENTS FOR AREAS OR ORGANIZATIONS

WITHIN WALLOPS FLIGHT FACILITY (NASA OR TENANTS):

6. STATION CLASS:

7. BANDWIDTH/EMISSION:

8. IF A FREQUENCY BAND IS REQUESTED, DOES SYSTEM OPERATE ON DISCRETE

FREQUENCIES IN THE BAND, SPREAD SPECTRUM, FREQUENCY HOPPING, OR HOW?

9. ORGANIZATION/PROJECT CONTACT:

10. CONTACT PHONE NUMBER:

11. DESCRIPTION OF HOW FREQUENCY WILL BE USED, METHOD OF OPERATION, ETC.:

12. PERIOD OF USAGE, (INCLUDE OVERALL TIME FRAME, DAYS/WEEK, HOURS/DAY OF

PROJECTED USAGE OR OTHER NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION):

File No.
April 1993

10
13. TRANSMITTER DATA

A NOMENCLATURE:

B. LOCATION:

C. TRANSMITTER PEAK POWER OUTPUT:

D. TRANSMITTER AVERAGE POWER OUTPUT:

E. PULSE WIDTH:

F. MAXIMUM DUTY CYCLE:

G. PULSE REPETITION FREQUENCY:

H. STABILITY:

I ANTENNA TYPE:

J. ANTENNA HEIGHT ABOVE GROUND:

K. ANTENNA POLARIZATION:

L. ANTENNA GAIN:

M. ANTENNA, FIXED OR ROTATABLE:

N. ANTENNA, BEAM WIDTH - AZ: º

O. ANTENNA, BEAM WIDTH - EL: º

P. FIXED ANTENNA DIRECTION OF RADIATION:

Q. TRANSMISSION SYSTEM ATTENUATION LOSSES:

R. ANTENNA LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE: º ' "N º ' "W

14. RECEIVER DATA

A. NOMENCLATURE:

B. LOCATION:

C. STABILITY:

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D. SENSITIVITY:

E. ANTENNA TYPE:

F. ANTENNA POLARIZATION:

G. ANTENNA GAIN:

H. ANTENNA, FIXED OR ROTATABLE:

I. ANTENNA, BEAM WIDTH - AZ:

J. ANTENNA, BEAM WIDTH - EL:

K. FIXED ANTENNA DIRECTION OF PATTERN:

L. ANTENNA LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE:

15 . HAS FREQUENCY ALREADY BEEN ASSIGNED TO ORGANIZATION BY NTIA

OR FCC FOR AREA IN WHICH IT WILL BE USED? Yes/No.

16. MISCELLANEOUS COMMENTS:

_________
SIGNATURE DATE

AFFILIATION

_____ __ __
NASA GSFC/WFF RANGE DATE
SUPPORT MANAGER/CONTACT

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Minotaur/TacSat 2 Addendum
Mission Overview
TacSat 2
The Space Vehicles Directorate is developing the TacSat 2 micro satellite as the first in a series to
demonstrate the objectives of the joint warfighting space (JWS) initiative.

The TacSat 2 mission is a funded Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration, which is to exhibit the
tenets of responsive space concepts. It has three main objectives:
1. Rapid Design, Build, Test with a launch ready spacecraft within 15 months from authority to proceed.
2. Responsive Launch, Checkout, Operations to include launch within one week of a call-up from a
stored state, perform on orbit checkout within one day, conduct lean operations and downlink data
directly to the theater.
3. Militarily Significant Capability to include obtaining images with tactically significant resolution
provided directly to the theater.

TacSat 2 is a joint project of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), the DOD Space Test Program
(Space and Missile Systems Center’s Space Development and Test Wing), the Naval Research
Laboratory, the Army Space Program Office, Air Force Space Command and the Space Warfare Center.
Project participants also include the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), as well as
its Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).

The spacecraft is scheduled for launch on December 11, 2006, from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility,
Wallops Island, Va., onboard a Minotaur I rocket. It will be launched from the Mid-Atlantic Regional
Spaceport launch pad. The satellite will be placed into a circular (410 kilometers altitude) orbit at a 40
degree inclination.

The eleven onboard instrument packages are:

• Enhanced Commercial Imager
• RoadRunner Onboard Processing Experiment (ROPE)
• Common Data Link (CDL)
• Target Indicator Experiment (TIE)
• Autonomous Operations
• Hall Effect Thruster (HET)
• Inter Stellar Compass (ISC)
• Low Power Transmitter (LPT)
• Integrated GPS Occultation Receiver (IGOR)
• Atmospheric Density Spectrometer (ADS)
• Experimental Solar Array

AFRL provides the spacecraft, launch, and first year of on-orbit operations. The spacecraft is built by
MicroSat Systems, Inc., with the command and data handling system, electrical power system, as well as
the flight software supplied by Broad Reach Engineering. Finally, Jackson and Tull is responsible for
innovative integration and testing of the spacecraft.

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GeneSat-1
A secondary payload, the GeneSat-1 spacecraft, also will fly on the mission.

The Small Satellite Office at NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif., has teamed up with
industry and local universities to develop a fully automated, miniature spaceflight system that provides
life support for small living things. The system also will conduct biological examinations to look for
genetic changes in bacteria during spaceflight.

Advanced miniaturization of key technologies coupled with the ability to launch small, secondary
spacecraft offers a new, low-cost way to advance space exploration technology. Putting novel cellular
genetics investigative tools into small spacecraft gives scientists a powerful ability to study and
understand the effects of deep space environments on living things.

Flying multiple missions using the new, low-cost secondary payload technology will help scientists
better understand how the space environment – which includes radiation and reduced gravity – affects
living things. This new knowledge will enable scientists to develop defenses against the space
environment's hazards. These countermeasures are critically needed for safe long-duration, human space
missions.

University students are essential members of the GeneSat mission team. Students at Cal Poly, San Luis
Obispo, Calif., have developed a launch 'pod' that protects and ejects the satellite once it is flown into
space. Students at Stanford University, Stanford, Calif., developed part of the satellite. Their equipment
collects data, broadcasts it to Earth and generates power for the satellite with solar cells.

Once GeneSat is in orbit, Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, Calif., students will control the spacecraft
from the mission operations center at NASA Ames. Santa Clara students have developed software that
sends commands to the satellite, calibrates the biological data that is sent back and analyzes spacecraft
health.

These universities are members of the Silicon Valley Center for Robotics Exploration and Space
Technologies (CREST) at NASA Research Park, Moffett Field, Calif. CREST is a consortium of
universities, industry and government partners. CREST develops interactive partnerships that integrate
disciplines, research and education to produce next-generation innovations in engineered systems.

For more information about CREST, visit:

http://www.crestnrp.org

14
Launch Window
December 11 - 20 Time: 7 to 10 a.m.

PAO Contacts
NASA Wallops Flight Facility Keith Koehler
Support: NASA Wallops Flight Facility
757-824-1579
keith.a.koehler@nasa.gov

Overall mission/Minotaur vehicle: Jo Adail Stephenson

USAF Space & Missile Center
310-653-2371
JoAdail.Stephenson@losangeles.af.mil

TacSat 2 spacecraft: Michael Kleiman

Air Force Research Laboratory
505-846-4704
Michael.Kleiman@kirtland.af.mil

Connie Rankin
505-846-4321
connie.rankin@kirtland.af.mil

GeneSat -1 spacecraft: John Bluck

NASA Ames Research Center
650-604-5026
John.G.Bluck@nasa.gov

Minotaur integration: Barry Beneski

Orbital Sciences Corporation
703-406-5528
Beneski.barron@orbital.com

Launch pad: Michelle Marshall

Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport
757-824-2336
michellemarshall@intercom.net

15
Media Center
Hours of Operations
December 9 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
December 10 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
December 11 2 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Deadlines
Accreditation Requests:
U.S. citizens December 1
Foreign nationals November 10
Foreign nationals
(designated country) October 11

Internet access requests:

December 1

Live broadcast transmission requests:

November 10

Press Conferences
Pre-launch conference December 10 Time: TBD
Post-launch conference December 11 Time: No later than 2 hours after
launch

Launch Viewing
Departure from the media center to the viewing site 5 a.m., Dec. 11

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