[X] My Assistant

[Redstone]

According to the NASA TV schedule, there is an MER news conference set for September 1, at 1 pm EDT (5 pm GMT). Take it with a pinch of salt, because these schedules change a lot. Whenever it happens it will be shown on NASA TV.

This is the first press conference since when? I can't remember when we saw the last one...

I'm guessing this is when we'll see the "Mother of all Panoramas". Hopefully some news on the science too, and future route plans.

[djellison]

http://www.marstoday.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=17669

NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Spirit has reached the summit of Husband Hill, part of the range the rover first observed on the distant horizon from its landing site in January 2004.

A news briefing Thursday, Sept. 1 at NASA Headquarters will reveal what Spirit is seeing as well as the current status and what we have learned from both Spirit and its twin, Opportunity. The briefing will begin at 1 p.m. EDT in the NASA Headquarters auditorium, 300 E St. SW, Washington and will be carried live on NASA Television.

Briefing participants:

* Douglas McCuistion, NASA Mars Exploration Program Director, Science Mission Directorate, Washington

* Dr. Steve Squyres, Principal Investigator for Mars Exploration Rovers science payload, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y.

* Chris Leger, Rover Planner, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Pasadena, Calif.

* Jacob Matijevic, Mars Exploration Rover Engineering Team Chief, JPL

* Ray Arvidson, Deputy Principal Investigator for Mars Exploration Rovers science payload, Washington University, St. Louis, Mo.

NASA TV will provide question-and-answer capability from participating agency centers. Media interested in asking questions via phone during the briefing should call Grace Reardon on 202/358-0884, by noon EDT, Wednesday, Aug. 31, to receive instructions.