Media Advisory/REMINDER: After 189 Days in Space Robert Thirsk is Coming Back to Earth

2009-11-30 12:20:00 -

LONGUEUIL, QUEBEC -- (Marketwire) -- 11/30/09 -- Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Robert Thirsk is coming back to Earth on December 1st after spending 189 days in space. He will head back to solid ground aboard the same Soyuz Russian vehicle that brought him to the International Space Station six months ago.

Media representatives are invited to the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) to view the landing (images on NASA TV).

This sequence of events is based on a nominal scenario. It can change or be cancelled without advance notice. Please call CSA Media Relations Office to confirm the most up-to-date details.


November 30th

7:30 p.m.       Opening of CSA doors for media
                Beginning of coverage on NASA TV
                Availability of Benoit Marcotte, Director
                General of Operations

7:50 p.m.       Farewell and hatch closure ceremony on NASA TV
                Phone call from Chris Hadfield from Kazakhstan


December 1st

1:00 a.m.       Reopening of CSA doors for media
                Benoit Marcotte, director General of
                Operations onsite

1:25 a.m.       Deorbit burn on NASA TV

2:16 a.m.       Robert Thrisk's landing in Kazakhstan on NASA TV

3 a.m.          Phone call from Steve MacLean, CSA president,
                from Russian Mission Control

As soon as      Phone call from CSA spokesperson from landing
possible (up    site in Kazakhstan
to 2 hours of
delay)


This event might be pushed forward or delayed without advance notice.

11 a.m.         Videoconference or phone call from Robert Thirsk
                from Star City in Russia


WHERE:          Canadian Space Agency
                6767 Route de l'Aeroport
                Longueuil, Quebec

For details on the mission, visit the Canadian Space Agency website at www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/missions/expedition20-21/ :

Video, animations and pictures are available at this address: ftp.asc-csa.gc.ca/users/expedition20-21/pub/ :

Contacts:
Canadian Space Agency
Media Relations
450-926-4370
www.asc-csa.gc.ca :