yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (04/06/91)
Mark Hess, Ed Campion Headquarters, Washington, D.C. April 5, 1991 (Phone: 202/453-8536) RELEASE: 91-50 TEACHER-IN-SPACE FLIGHT DECISION DELAYED UNTIL 1992 NASA Administrator Richard H. Truly has decided, based on a recent policy review, that NASA's Space Flight Participant Program will be held in abeyance for another year. Under this program, NASA would provide space flight opportunities for persons outside the professional categories of NASA astronauts and payload specialists. NASA previously has indicated that when it resumes the program, the first priority will be given to a teacher in space in fulfillment of space education plans. Truly made the decison based on the recommendation of a policy review committee of senior officals at NASA Headquarters. Following a meeting on April 1, the group expressed support for the Teacher- in-Space program. However, the group felt that it would be premature to reinitiate activities in 1991 because of the continuing backlog of high priority missions on the Shuttle manifest. A policy review on reinstatement of the program will be repeated early next year. Christa McAuliffe, the first teacher in space, was part of the crew on the Space Shuttle Challenger which was lost on Jan. 28, 1986. Barbara Morgan, a teacher from McCall, Idaho, was named NASA's Teacher-in-Space designee in 1986 when she was chosen as the next space flight participant to fly on the Shuttle when the program resumes. Morgan has completed initial training and has maintained her proficiency.
henry@zoo.toronto.edu (Henry Spencer) (04/06/91)
In article <1991Apr5.185644.1900@news.arc.nasa.gov> yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) writes: >... NASA's Space Flight Participant Program >will be held in abeyance for another year... Not to be cynical or anything, but I predict that it will be held in abeyance indefinitely, one year at a time, unless the White House says "get this going again". -- "The stories one hears about putting up | Henry Spencer @ U of Toronto Zoology SunOS 4.1.1 are all true." -D. Harrison| henry@zoo.toronto.edu utzoo!henry