HDNet to Air Live Broadcast of the Launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis

HDNet to Air Live Broadcast of the Launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis

Network's high definition coverage of STS-125 begins Monday, May 11 at 1:30 p.m. ET

DALLAS, May 7 /PRNewswire/ -- WHAT: HDNet will cover the launch of STS-125 Space Shuttle Atlantis as the astronauts aboard head into space for a twelve day mission to service NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. To reach the Hubble, astronomy's greatest treasure, Atlantis will be targeting what amounts to a small, perpetually-moving spot in space, more than 300 miles above Earth and no bigger than a school bus.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080324/HDNETLOGO)

Over the course of five spacewalks, the astronauts will replace or repair one half dozen instruments, including the Wide Field Camera. These repairs should keep the Hubble functioning until at least 2014.

Since the Atlantis astronauts will not have the International Space Station as a safe haven (it is in a different orbit than the Hubble), a stripped-down Space Shuttle Endeavour will be standing by to launch in case Atlantis has an emergency and cannot safely return to earth.

HDNet World Report Correspondent Greg Dobbs will host the network's coverage along with special guest, NASA astronaut /astronomer Stan Love.

WHEN: Monday, May 11. HDNet's coverage begins at 1:30 p.m. ET with the launch scheduled for 2:01 p.m. ET.

About HDNet

HDNet (www.hd.net) is a network that is original, thinks independently and delivers unique content and provocative, authentic programming that appeals to men of all ages, delivered in true high definition.

HDNet is the exclusive, high definition home for popular, original programming, including television's only HD news feature programs "HDNet World Report," and the Emmy Award winning "Dan Rather Reports," featuring legendary journalist Dan Rather. Only HDNet goes beyond the headlines to deliver real news that is redefining the way we look at our world. HDNet News is provocative, sometimes controversial and always relevant - telling the important stories of our time in-depth, with attitude and with independence.

HDNet presents championship sports coverage featuring the best of Mixed Martial Arts through HDNet Fights. HDNet Fights partners with leading MMA promoters including Affliction, DREAM, Sengoku, XFC, M-1, K-1, K-1 Max, MFC, Adrenaline and more. HDNet produces more live Mixed Martial Arts events than any other network and HDNet's "Inside MMA" is the hottest Mixed Martial Arts program on television, giving MMA fans their weekly fix for everything MMA.

HDNet also delivers the world's largest and most diverse concert line-up through the HDNet Concert Series. The HDNet Concert Series features leading artists and bands including Coldplay, Gwen Stefani, John Mayer and more. HDNet also features revealing lifestyle programming featuring "Art Mann Presents," "Vegas Confessions," "Deadline" and "Get Out!" HDNet is also the exclusive high definition home to critically acclaimed and award winning documentaries as part of the InFocus series. "NASA on HDNet" presents all live shuttle launches through 2010.

Only HDNet Movies delivers exclusive Sneak Previews of new movies before they hit theaters. The HDNet Movies Sneak Preview series features top Hollywood stars in critically acclaimed performances including Gwyneth Paltrow, Joaquin Phoenix, Demi Moore, Michael Caine, Tom Hanks, Vera Farmiga, Parker Posey, Brian Cox, Matthew Broderick, Brittany Snow, Eric Bana, John Malkovich, and Emily Blunt.

Upcoming Sneak Previews include "The Girlfriend Experience" directed by Steven Soderbergh.

In addition to being the exclusive home of Sneak Previews, HDNet Movies presents viewers with over one hundred films and an average of twenty-five "HD Premieres" each month. HDNet Movies viewers enjoy the best films from the classics of the 1950s-1970s, to favorite films from the 1980s and 1990s, to recently released theatrical films.

HDNet Movies offers subscribers a premium movie viewing experience in true HD, and more original movies shot entirely in HD than any other network.

Launched in 2001 by Mark Cuban and General Manager Philip Garvin, the HDNet networks are available on AT&T, Bright House Networks, Charter Communications, Comcast, DIRECTV, DISH Network, Insight, Mediacom, Time Warner Cable, Verizon and more than 40 NCTC cable affiliate companies. For more information visit www.hd.net.

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080324/HDNETLOGO
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: HDNet

CONTACT: Colette Carey of HDNet, +1-303-542-5576, ccarey@hd.net

Web Site: http://www.hd.net/

-------
Profile: intent