News media and the public are invited to observe the live televised broadcast of the launch of STS-127, space shuttle Endeavour, on Saturday, July 11, 2009 in the Exploration Center at NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif.

In addition to the broadcast, former NASA astronaut Karol “Bo” Bobko will narrate the launch and discuss how NASA's astronauts are trained to fly the space shuttle in the Vertical Motion Simulator at NASA's Ames.

Endeavour embarks on its 23rd mission for a 16-day flight that will deliver Tim Kopra to the International Space Station as a flight engineer and science officer, return Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata to Earth and complete construction of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory. Astronauts also will attach a platform to the outside of the Japanese module that will provide a type of "porch" for experiments in the exposed environment. They also will attach a robotic arm to the Kibo Pressurized Module to conduct experiments outside the station. The mission will include five spacewalks.

NASA postponed Endeavour's first two June launch attempts because of a leak associated with the gaseous hydrogen venting system outside the shuttle's external fuel tank. The system is used to carry excess hydrogen safely away from the launch pad.

Mark Polansky will command the shuttle Endeavour for STS-127. Doug Hurley will serve as the pilot. Mission specialists are Christopher Cassidy, Tom Marshburn, Dave Wolf and Julie Payette, a Canadian Space Agency astronaut. Hurley, Cassidy, Marshburn and Kopra will be making their first trips to space.

STS-127 is the 29th shuttle mission to the International Space Station.

WHAT: An opportunity to watch the live televised broadcast of the launch of STS-127 space shuttle Endeavour, which will launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Fla., and will be televised live on NASA TV.

WHEN: The Exploration Center will open at noon PDT, Saturday, July 11, 2009, and remain open until 30 minutes after launch. The pre-launch program will begin at 4 p.m. PDT. Launch is scheduled for 4:39 p.m. PDT.

WHERE: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Exploration Center, located at the main gate, Moffett Field. To reach NASA Ames, take U.S. Highway 101 to the Moffett Field, NASA Parkway exit and drive east on Moffett Boulevard towards the main gate and bear right into the parking lot. The Exploration Center is located in the large white dome.

On launch day, a blog originating from Kennedy will update the countdown beginning at 11:30 a.m. PDT. The blog is the definitive Internet source for information leading up to launch. During the mission, visitors to NASA's shuttle Web site can read about the crew's progress and watch the spacewalks live. As Endeavour's flight wraps up, NASA will offer a blog detailing the spacecraft's return to Earth.

For information about Endeavour's crew and mission and to read online updates, including a webcast and a blog, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

To watch Endeavour's launch online, tune in to NASA Television, at: http://www.nasa.gov/ntv