FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 12, 2005

CONTACT: Lisa Lacher, (515) 271-3119

COLLEGE CHANNEL OFFERS LIVE COVERAGE OF SPACE SHUTTLE FLIGHT

In anticipation of the Space Shuttle Return to Flight mission, set to lift off at 2:51 p.m. Wednesday, July 13, programming on The College Channel (Mediacom Cable Channel 16/46) has been shifted to provide 24-hour coverage of NASA-TV, where the launch countdown, lift-off and mission will be covered live. This coverage will be maintained throughout the shuttle mission and landing with the exception of 8 a.m. to noon on weekdays when the College Channel airs telecourses for Des Moines Area Community College.

Space Shuttle Discovery sits at Launch Pad 39-B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, awaiting the final "go" that will send it rocketing into orbit on the first Shuttle mission in more than two years. The seven crewmembers, led by veteran Eileen Collins, will travel to the International Space Station, testing new safety procedures and delivering supplies to the orbital outpost. This is the first shuttle launch since Space Shuttle Columbia broke apart over Texas on Feb. 1, 2003.

The College Channel is a cooperative effort of the Des Moines Consortium for Higher Education, which is made up of Drake University, Des Moines Area Community College and Grand View College. Questions or comments are welcome via fax or mail: (515) 271-2882 or The College Channel, Drake University, Room 118 Meredith Hall, Des Moines, IA 50311.

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