From:             The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
                                               
Contact:         Rubenstein Communications Inc., Public Relations

In preparation for the opening of the new Space Shuttle Pavilion that houses the space shuttle Enterprise, a Soyuz TMA-6 space capsule will be moved to the flight deck of the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum for installation into the new space shuttle exhibit on Tuesday, June 25, at 8:00AM, at Pier 86 (located at 46th Street and 12th Avenue) in Manhattan.  

The nine-foot tall by nine-foot wide Soyuz TMA-6 spacecraft, scarred by re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere after its voyage into space, will be moved from its current home on the Intrepid’s hangar deck onto the ship’s Portside Aircraft Elevator, an open-air platform that will raise the capsule to the flight deck.  The capsule will then be transported to the Space Shuttle Pavilion, where it will become an exciting new addition to the exhibit surrounding the Space Shuttle Enterprise, as well as provide visitors the rare opportunity to view an original Russian spacecraft.

Media will be permitted to ride on the aircraft elevator with the Soyuz capsule as it is transported.

The capsule returned Greg Olsen, one of the few private citizens who have experienced space travel, back to Earth in October 2005 after he traveled to the International Space Station.  Olsen, as well as the Intrepid Museum’s Vice President of Exhibits, Elaine Charnov, and Curator of Aviation and Aircraft Restoration, Eric Boehm, will be on site at and available for interviews regarding the spacecraft and the movement process.

There will be no media access into the new Space Shuttle Pavilion, which replaces the original structure that was damaged by Hurricane Sandy.  The pavilion is currently under construction and will open to the public on July 10.

DATE:                       TUESDAY, JUNE 25

TIME:                        7:30AM – Press Check-In
                                   8:00AM -- Soyuz Capsule Move
                                                           
PLACE:                     Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
                                   Pier 86 (46th St. and 12th Avenue), Manhattan