NASA's Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center (JSC), supporting sponsor of the World Space Congress•2002 and hub of the International Space Station, space shuttle and astronaut corps, will play a special role in welcoming thousands of visitors to Houston during the event's opening ceremonies at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 14. Crewmembers Valery Korzun, Peggy Whitson, and Sergei Treschev will welcome the attendees of the Congress with a special message from the International Space Station.

"This international gathering shines the spotlight on one of the most dynamic and accomplished cities and industries in the world, as well as the skies above, where the International Space Station and three very dedicated crewmembers are living, building and researching for each of us here on Earth," said JSC Center Director General Jefferson D. Howell Jr.

As a leader in space exploration and human spaceflight, NASA-JSC will be prevalent throughout the Congress events with numerous technical and professional presentations, educational outreach and distance learning activities. In addition, JSC will host "Discover NASA Day: Astronauts, International Space Station and Beyond &" a free event for the public Saturday, Oct. 19, at the George R. Brown Convention Center. This community program will feature several astronaut presentations; a special opportunity to see Discovery Channel's Return to Hubble, which chronicles the 2002 space shuttle mission wherein seven astronauts rendezvoused with, repaired and released the Hubble Space Telescope; plus, many interactive, educational activity stations for children and adults.

As part of NASA's vast exhibit space in the convention center, attendees can experience the activities of the Human Spaceflight Center firsthand. The exhibit will showcase NASA's work in the human exploration and development of space, virtual reality simulations, robotics and numerous other endeavors.

Officials expect World Space Congress to attract more than 13,000 space leaders and professionals to downtown Houston to discuss technological advances, commercialization and the life-enhancing benefits of future space exploration.

More information about NASA's human spaceflight program is available at

http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/

More information on JSC's involvement in World Space Congress is available at http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/wsc/

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