WASHINGTON - NASA will host a news conference Wednesday, Dec. 12, at 4 p.m. EST to announce the selection of a contractor for the upper stage instrument unit avionics for the Ares I rocket. The avionics unit is the central system that provides guidance, navigation and control for the launch vehicle during ascent as it carries the Orion spacecraft to low Earth orbit.

The news conference will take place in the NASA Headquarters James E. Webb Memorial Auditorium, 300 E St. S.W., Washington. It will air live on the Web and on NASA Television with questions and answers from participating NASA locations. Media should confirm availability with local NASA centers by 4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 10.

News conference participants:

• Doug Cooke, deputy associate administrator for Exploration Systems
• Jeff Hanley, Constellation program manager
• Steve Cook, Ares project manager
• Danny Davis, Upper Stage Element manager

The instrument unit is part of the Ares I upper stage, which includes propellant tanks and a separately procured upper stage engine. The first stage will consist of a single reusable solid rocket booster and motor, similar to those used on the space shuttle, with a fifth integrated motor segment.

For NASA TV streaming video, downlink and scheduling information, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

For information about NASA's Exploration Systems Mission Directorate visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/exploration