Dwayne Brown
Headquarters, Washington, DC                     July 2, 2001
(Phone: 202/358-1726)

RELEASE: 01-134

NASA PUTS AMERICA'S INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION
OUT OF THIS WORLD

     The Nation's largest Independence Day celebration will be 
joined by visitors from outer space -- not aliens, but NASA's 
International Space Station crew, orbiting more than 200 miles 
above the Earth.

The two NASA members of the space station crew will send their 
"out of this world" birthday message, reflecting on the birth 
of America, during the 4th of July gala concert beginning at 8 
p.m. EDT from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, 
DC.

"This annual concert and fireworks display has evolved into 
the premier celebration of patriotism," said Joseph H. 
Rothenberg, Associate Administrator for Space Flight, NASA 
Headquarters, Washington, DC. "We're glad NASA and the 
hardworking crew on board the International Space Station have 
an opportunity to help mark the pioneering spirit that makes 
this 225th birthday celebration possible."

Spectacular video images from space will be shown on large 
screens as the National Symphony Orchestra performs "2001, A 
Space Odyssey." Music from a variety of entertainers will be 
followed by the traditional finale of fireworks over the 
Washington Monument. More than half a million people are 
expected to travel to the Mall in downtown Washington to 
attend the festivities.

The event can be seen live on PBS and will be heard in stereo 
over National Public Radio. Armed Forces Radio and Television 
Networks also will carry the celebration. 

The Expedition Two crew is made up of Russian Commander Yury 
Usachev and American  Flight Engineers Jim Voss and Susan 
Helms. Additional information on "A Capitol Fourth," the 
International Space Station and the Expedition Two crew, is 
available on the Internet at:

         http://www.pbs.org/capitolfourth/

           http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/

                        -end-