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SPACE SHUTTLE PROGRAM HOLDS FIRST SUMMIT

NEW ORLEANS, LA., March 18th, 2003 -- The Space Shuttle Program will hold the first of what will be an annual Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) Summit March 19 and 20 at the NASA Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, La.

SLEP was initiated under the recently implemented Integrated Space Transportation Plan to ensure the viability of the Space Shuttle Program. The annual Summit will provide a forum that will shape the long-range strategy, prioritization, process for selection and recommendation for sustaining the Shuttle system. In addition, Return to Flight issues will be addressed.

The first day of the summit, Wednesday, March 19, is open to the media. Reporters wishing to cover it should contact Harry Wadsworth with Lockheed Martin at the Michoud facility by telephone at 504/257-0094 to arrange for credentials. Due to limited space in the summit meeting area, reporters will be seated in Michoud?s media room and be able to watch a closed-circuit television broadcast of the presentations. Several summit participants will be made available and brought to the media room for interviews in the afternoon.

Reporters and photographers are also invited to attend the luncheon on March 19 to listen to a keynote speech by NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe. Space at the luncheon is very limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information, please visit the SLEP Summit web site: http://www.mafevents.com/SLEP/home.htm.

Allard Beutel, NASA Headquarters, Washington, (202) 358-0951

Harry Wadsworth, Michoud Assembly Facility, Louisiana, 504-257-0094 or mailto:harry.wadsworth@maf.nasa.gov