Rocket Science 101 offered to journalists

The Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority (VCSFA) & Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) in cooperation with the Virginia Press Association and Virginia Association of Broadcasters are sponsoring “Rocket Science 101” an educational seminar on April 21, 2011 at the VPA headquarters in Glen Allen, VA.

The purpose of the workshop is to educate print, electronic, broadcast and cable media, about Virginia’s newest business, commercial space launches to the International Space Station from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport on Orbital Sciences Corp’s., new Taurus II rocket beginning in mid-2011. MARS first launch to the moon in 2013 will also be discussed. Business, policy, science/technology and general interest journalists, reporters, publishers and writers are encouraged to attend.

Topics covered will include the business aspects of rocket design and rocket launching; the Taurus II rocket design and technology, the business of launching rockets and the role of MARS, a commercial spaceport located on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, safety and range control center operations and responsibilities, commercial space, NASA’s COTS/CRS programs. More details from the Virginia Association of Broadcasters.

Following this workshop, the VCSFA/MARS will be offering tours of the MARS Spaceport, May 2, 3 or 4th from 11am to 1 pm. The Spaceport is located on Wallops Island, on the Eastern Shore. NASA Security procedures require each participant to provide first, middle and last names, title, company/organization, phone and e-mail address, and confirmation of U.S. Citizenship. Tour participants must also bring a photo ID the day of their tour.