yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (05/03/91)
Ed Campion Headquarters, Washington, D.C. May 2, 1991 (Phone: 202/453-1134) Barbara Schwartz Johnson Space Center, Houston (Phone: 713/483-5111) RELEASE: 91-68 ASTRONAUT MARY CLEAVE JOINS NASA ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT Astronaut Mary L. Cleave, Ph.D., P.E., will become Deputy Project Manager for SeaWiFS, Sea Viewing Wide Field Sensors, at the NASA Goddard Spaceflight Center, Greenbelt, Md., beginning May 19, 1991. SeaWiFS is a joint NASA and commercial project to learn about the biological mass in the ocean by studying the chlorophyll content to determine how much plankton is produced. Information on whether plants in the ocean can absorb enough carbon dioxide and produce necessary oxygen to prevent global warming will be one focal point for this research. An eight-channel data collection camera will be launched using a Pegasus booster. "Earth observations experience I gained as an astronaut will be beneficial to me in this new capacity. I'm eager to have this opportunity to make a contribution to environmental research," Cleave said. "We are sorry to see Mary leave JSC (Johnson Space Center) but are happy that she will stay in the NASA family. We wish her success in her new job," Director of Flight Crew Operations Donald R. Puddy said. Cleave has flown on two Space Shuttle missions. During STS- 61B, three telecommunication satellites were deployed and two 6- hour "spacewalks" were conducted to demonstrate Space Station Freedom construction techniques. Cleave controlled the Shuttle's robot arm to assist in these activities. On STS-30, crew members successfully deployed the Magellan Venus-exploration spacecraft and performed numerous middeck experiments.