WASHINGTON - With the launch of space shuttle Atlantis postponed until no earlier than Jan. 2, NASA has updated its media accreditation deadlines.

All U.S. and international media who are not already accredited for Atlantis' launch and the STS-122 mission must apply for credentials to attend the liftoff from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida or to cover the mission from other NASA centers.

Additional time may be required to process accreditation requests by journalists from certain designated countries. Designated countries include those with which the United States has no diplomatic relations, on the State Department's list of state sponsors of terrorism, which are under U.S. sanction or embargo, or which raise proliferation concerns. Please contact the accrediting NASA center for details. Journalists should confirm they have been accredited before they travel.

No substitutions of credentials are allowed at any NASA facility.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER All media credentials originally approved for the STS-122 mission will be honored when the launch takes place. The mission badges will be valid beginning four days before launch, known as L-4, through the end of the mission. Please read the following carefully for your specific circumstances:

- U.S. media who already have their STS-122 mission badge do not need to take any further action.

- U.S. media who are approved but have not obtained their credentials may pick them up beginning on L-4.

- U.S. media who do not have an STS-122 mission badge but would like to obtain one now should apply by Dec. 20 to Kennedy's online accreditation site at:

https://media.ksc.nasa.gov

International media should note that while their STS-122 approvals will carry over to the launch date, the Kennedy News Center still needs to know in advance whether they still plan to attend launch. International reporters should e-mail the accreditation manager at laurel.a.lichtenberger@nasa.gov by Dec. 17 and let NASA know if they plan to attend the launch. Media will receive an e-mail reply confirming their status and giving detailed instructions for badging. If media do not alert NASA by the deadline, your credentials will not be good for the new launch date. No exceptions will be made.

Foreign media who have never had an STS-122 badge, or who never received approval to attend the launch but wish to now, should apply to Kennedy's online site by Dec. 17.

JOHNSON SPACE CENTER

Media credentials originally approved for the STS-122 mission will be honored when the flight takes place. Media may obtain Johnson Space Center credentials by calling the Johnson newsroom at 281-483-5111 or presenting Kennedy STS-122 mission credentials. Media planning to cover the mission only from Johnson need apply for credentials only at Johnson. The deadline for requesting Johnson credentials is Dec. 21 for U.S. media.

Media covering the mission from Johnson using Kennedy credentials also must contact the Johnson newsroom by Dec. 21 to arrange work space, phone lines and other logistics. Johnson is responsible for credentialing media if the shuttle lands at White Sands Space Harbor, N.M. If a landing is imminent at White Sands, Johnson will arrange credentials.

DRYDEN FLIGHT RESEARCH CENTER

Notice for a space shuttle landing at Dryden Flight Research Center on Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., could be short. National media should consider accrediting Los Angeles-based personnel who could travel quickly to Dryden. The deadline for submitting Dryden Flight Research Center accreditation requests is Jan. 7 for U.S. media who are U.S. citizens.

For Dryden media credentials, U.S. citizens representing domestic media must provide their full name, date of birth, place of birth, media organization, the last six digits of their social security number and driver's license number, including the name of the issuing state.

Media should fax requests for credentials on company letterhead to 661-276-3566. E-mailed requests to alan.brown@nasa.gov are acceptable for media who have been accredited at Dryden within the past year. Requests must include a phone number and business e-mail address for follow-up contact.

NASA PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACTS:

Kennedy Space Center: Candrea Thomas, 321-867-2468, candrea.k.thomas@nasa.gov

Johnson Space Center: James Hartsfield, 281-483-5111, james.a.hartsfield@nasa.gov

Dryden Flight Research Center: Leslie Williams, 661-276-3893, leslie.a.williams@nasa.gov

For information about the STS-122 mission, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle