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NEWS RELEASE

The Planetary Society
65 N. Catalina Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91106-2301 (626) 793-5100 Fax
(626) 793-5528 E-mail: tps@mars.planetary.org  Web:
http://planetary.org

For Immediate Release: June 9, 1999

Contact: Susan Lendroth

One Week to Go to Name An Asteroid

What's in a name?  That could be up to you in the case of Asteroid
1992 KD. But you have to act fast  there is only one week left to
enter the Planetary Society's Name the Asteroid Contest, which
ends June 15, 1999.

Asteroid 1992 KD is a target for Deep Space 1, a mission designed
to test cuttingedge technologies. The spacecraft will fly by the
asteroid on July 28, 1999, traveling closer to its surface than a
jet flies above the Earth when it is at cruising altitude.

Deep Space 1 will take images of the asteroid and will measure its
basic physical properties, including mineral composition, size,
shape, surface features, and brightness.

A key technology being tested on Deep Space 1 is its ion
propulsion system. This type of engine is 10 times more efficient
than a conventional liquid or solid fuel rocket.  Deep Space 1 is
the first planetary probe to use this advanced type of propulsion
system.

During Eleanor Helin's longrunning Palomar PlanetCrossing Asteroid
Survey, she and Ken Lawrence discovered 1992 KD on May 27, 1992 at
Palomar Observatory. NASA JPL funded the Palomar PlanetCrossing
Asteroid Survey. An asteroid's discoverers traditionally have the
right to name it, and they have asked the Planetary Society to
solicit suggestions through this contest. The winning suggestion
will be submitted by the discoverers to the International
Astronomical Union Small Bodies Naming Committee, which has
official approval over the naming of asteroids.

Helin said, "It is exciting to visit and examine one of our
discoveries from seven years ago. What seemed so remote then will
now become almost a handson experience. This will be the first
close look at a near-earth object, and from it a clearer picture
of one nearearth asteroid will emerge."

Since the Deep Space 1 mission is designed to test technology, the 
theme for names is INVENTORS, living or deceased. Each suggestion for a
name should be accompanied by a short explanation (50 words or
less) of why the name is appropriate. Also include your name and
address.

The contest winner will receive a $50 gift certificate for the
Planetary Society Store.

Entries may be submitted by mail, fax or email.  Log into the
Society's web site at http://planetary.org <http://planetary.org/>
for additional information.  Entries must be RECEIVED by June 15,
1999.
 
Mail:  Asteroid 1992 KD Contest
       The Planetary Society
       65 North Catalina Avenue
       Pasadena, CA 91106

       Fax:            (626) 7935528 (Att: Linda Wong)
       Email:  tps@mars.planetary.org

Please contact Susan Lendroth for additional information at
(626)7935100 or by email at tps.sl@mars.planetary.org.

Carl Sagan, Bruce Murray and Louis Friedman founded the Society in
1979 to advance the exploration of the solar system and to
continue the search for extraterrestrial life.  With 100,000
members in over 140 countries, the Society is the largest space
interest group in the world.

Linda Wong
The Planetary Society
65 N. Catalina Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91106
(626) 793-5100 
(626) 793-5528 (fax)
tps@mars.planetary.org

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