Sonja Alexander                           November 7, 2002
Headquarters, Washington
(Phone: 202/358-1761)

NOTE TO EDITORS: N02-71

SPECIAL NATIVE AMERICAN SEND OFF FOR NASA'S NEXT SHUTTLE 
MISSION

     Media representatives are invited to attend a special 
ceremony honoring astronaut John Herrington and the crew of 
STS-113. Herrington is the first tribal registered Native 
American astronaut.

The ceremony is scheduled to begin on Sunday, Nov. 10 at 9:00 
p.m. EST at the Kennedy Space Center's Visitor Complex—Rocket 
Garden, Kennedy Space Center, Fla.

Interested media may call the Kennedy Space Center (321-867-
2468) for credentials or get them on line at: http://www-
pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/release/2002/110-02.htm

STS-113 will be the 16th Shuttle flight to visit the 
International Space Station. The Space Shuttle Endeavour will 
continue the outward expansion of the orbital outpost by 
delivering the P1 (Port-One) Truss. Also, Endeavour will 
deliver the Expedition Six crew to the Station and return the 
Expedition Five crew to Earth. The Space Shuttle launch is 
scheduled between midnight and 3 a.m. Monday, Nov. 11. 

For more information about the upcoming launch: 
http://www.spaceflight.nasa.gov

Event Schedule:

* 9:00 p.m. Pre - launch Native American Ceremony at Rocket 
Garden
* Master of Ceremonies: Danny Key, Administrator, The 
Chickasaw Nation
* Mandaree Native American Drum Group: Mandan/Hidatsa Tribe	
* Drums Begin to Call the People

* 9:15 p.m. Presentation of Colors by Seminole Native 
American Veterans 
* "Star Spangled Banner:" Radmilla Cody, 2001 Miss Navajo 
Nation
* Flute solo: Jerry Elliott, Osage/Cherokee, Aerospace 
Technologist, Space Shuttle Program Office, NASA Johnson 
Space Center
* Honor Dance: Chickasaw Dance Troupe

* 9:25 p.m. Dedication by Lee Frazier, Chickasaw Tribal Elder
* Prayer:  Crystal Underwood, Chickasaw Princess; Tamela 
Alexander, Chickasaw Jr. Princess; Julie Underwood, Little 
Miss Chickasaw
* Song:  "Up Where We Belong" – Buffy Sainte-Marie

* 9:55 p.m. Launch Reception at Debus Center (next to Rocket 
Garden)

* 10:30 p.m. Mission Briefing

* 11:30 p.m.  Board Buses to Banana Creek Viewing Stands

-end-