NASA's Space Shuttle Program Manager Wayne Hale will be available to media live via satellite from 7 to 9 a.m. EDT on June 20, to discuss the current status of the program and the next shuttle mission, STS-121.

Hale has overall responsibility for the program's safe conduct. He joined the Space Shuttle Program as deputy manager after the the shuttle Columbia accident. He spearheaded the restructuring of the team to ensure all levels of expertise have input into problem solving, especially on issues on safety.

The Discovery is targeted to be launched to the International Space on July 1, but could extend until July 19. In the 12-day mission, the crew will test new hardware and techniques to improve shuttle safety, deliver supplies, make repairs, and bring a third crew member to the station.

The interviews will be carried live on the NASA TV Media Channel and analog satellite. The analog coordinates are: AMC-6, at 72 degrees west longitude, transponder 5C, 3800 MHz, vertical polarization, with audio at 6.8 MHz. The Media Channel is available on an MPEG-2 digital C-band signal via satellite AMC-6, 72 degrees west longitude, transponder 17C, 4040 MHz, vertical polarization. In Alaska and Hawaii, it's on AMC-7, 137 degrees west longitude, transponder 18C, at 4060 MHz, horizontal polarization.