CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA managers have scheduled a news conference at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida for no earlier than 6 p.m. EST on Tuesday, Feb. 3, to discuss the status of the next space shuttle launch. The news conference will begin after the conclusion of the Flight Readiness Review, a meeting to assess preparations for shuttle Discovery's STS-119 mission to the International Space Station.

The review is expected to include the selection of an official launch date. Discovery currently is targeted to launch at 7:32 a.m. on Feb. 12.

The briefing participants are: - Bill Gerstenmaier, associate administrator for Space Operations, NASA Headquarters, Washington - John Shannon, manager, Space Shuttle Program, NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston - Mike Leinbach, space shuttle launch director, NASA's Kennedy Space Center

NASA Television and the agency's Web site will broadcast the briefing live. Reporters may ask questions from participating NASA locations and should contact their preferred NASA center to confirm its participation.

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

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

For STS-119 crew and mission information, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle