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NASA will host a media teleconference at 4 p.m. EST today during which agency officials will discuss and answer questions on the selection of an Asteroid Redirect Mission concept.

The mission is to retrieve an asteroid mass and redirect it into lunar orbit, where astronauts will explore it in the 2020s. The mission will test a number of new capabilities needed for future human deep space expeditions, including to Mars.

Participants for the media teleconference are:

Robert Lightfoot, NASA associate administrator

Michele Gates, program director, NASA’s Asteroid Redirect Mission

Lindley Johnson, program executive, NASA’s Near Earth Object Program

To participate, media must e-mail their name and affiliation to Trent Perrotto at trent.j.perrotto@nasa.gov before 4 p.m.

Audio of the media teleconference will stream live on NASA's website at:

http://www.nasa.gov/newsaudio

Find more information about the Asteroid Redirect Mission at:

www.nasa.gov/asteroidinitiative

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