"6_2_16.TXT" (9405 bytes) was created on 03-26-92 NASA ADMINISTRATOR SUPPORTS TEACHING FROM SPACE Terri Sindelar Headquarters, Washington, D.C. March 26, 1992 RELEASE: 92-40 Today while presenting the National Aeronautic Association's Brewer Trophy, NASA Administrator Richard H. Truly said that he supports using space to enhance education and that he is making a recommendation to administrator-nominee Daniel S. Goldin that NASA fly Barbara Morgan. The following text is an excerpt from Truly's remarks: "As you know, I'll be leaving NASA very soon but, there is one more thing we need, I believe, to inspire our young people. The time has come to begin a formal program of teaching from space. "We use the medium of space to enhance education in many areas. The next step for us will be to make routine a program of teaching from space by astronauts in space to take advantage of the weightless environment, the explanation of experiments that are on board the Space Shuttle and the view of the Earth, the solar system, and the universe that the Space Shuttle provides. Later, we will continue the teaching from Space Station Freedom and I predict from the surface of the Moon and Mars. "Earlier I pointed out that our astronauts have already proven their abilities as teachers. But to state the "Teaching From Space" Program in the most positive way, it is time that NASA kick off this endeavor by flying Barbara Morgan, who was backup to that marvelous teacher, Christa McAuliffe. Christa McAuliffe was one of the most inspiring people I have ever met. She was a hard working, devoted and creative teacher who understood how young people are attracted to the wonders of space exploration, just as she was. When given the opportunity to participate in this great adventure to help encourage America's young people to do better, she seized it; but fate intervened. "Barbara Morgan is another great teacher. I talked with Barbara last night. She's participating in the National Science Teacher's Association Convention. She still is an elementary school teacher in McCall, Idaho. She's ready, the Space Shuttle is ready, and the American people are ready for the educational inspiration that flying Barbara will provide. "We now have a substantial amount of experience with our new Space Shuttle program. I can tell you today that we have the highest confidence in it and the system we have designed to operate it. "NASA senior management has reviewed this situation annually, and I am more than satisfied; I am eager. But for this opportunity to succeed, it must have the full support of the new NASA Administrator. Accordingly, I am making a recommendation to Dan Goldin that, once aboard and quickly, he take his own look and that he invite Barbara to join the crew of some appropriate mission. I have every confidence that this will happen soon." Truly made these remarks while presenting the National Aeronautic Association's Frank G. Brewer Trophy at the National Congress on Aviation and Space Education, Oklahoma City. The trophy is the nation's highest award for contributions to aviation and space education. This year's recipient is Lt. Gen. Kenneth L. Tallman (USAF Ret.) - end - 4/5/91: TEACHER-IN-SPACE FLIGHT DECISION DELAYED UNTIL 1992 RELEASE: 91-50 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. - end - 1/12/89: NASA POLICY ON SHUTTLE FLIGHT ELIGIBILITY ANNOUNCED NASA today issued a policy statement on the conditions under which persons are eligible to fly on the Space Shuttle. A copy of the statement is attached. l/9/89 NASA Policy for Payload Specialists and Space Flight Participants A. General l. The Challenger accident marked a major change in the U.S. outlook and policies with respect to the flight of other than NASA astronauts. NASA and interested external parties, domestic and international, must reexamine previous understandings, expectations, and commitments regarding flight opportunities in light of the new policies now being enunciated. 2. NASA policies and their implementation recognize that: --every flight of the Shuttle involves risks; --flight opportunities will now generally be limited to professional NASA astronauts and payload specialists essential for mission requirements, and --top priority must be given to: . establishing, proving, and maintaining the reliability and safety of the Shuttle system, . timely and efficient reduction of the backlog of high priority scientific and national security missions, and . maximum utilization of the Shuttle capacity for primary and secondary payloads that require transportation to or from orbit by the Space Shuttle. 3. All Shuttle flights will be planned with a minimum NASA crew of five astronauts (commander, pilot, and three mission specialists). When payload or other mission requirements define a need and operational constraints permit, the crew size can be increased to a maximum of seven. Any such additional crew members must be identified at least l2 months before flight and be available for crew integration at 6 months. 4. NASA policy and terminology are revised to recognize two categories of persons other than NASA astronauts, each of which requires separate policy treatment. They are: a. "Payload Specialists," redefined to refer to persons other than NASA astronauts (commanders, pilots, and mission specialists), whose presence is required on board the Space Shuttle to perform specialized functions with respect to operation of one or more payloads or other essential mission activities. b. "Space Flight Participants," defined to refer to persons whose presence on board the Space Shuttle is not required for operation of payloads or for other essential mission activities, but is determined by the Administrator of NASA to contribute to other approved NASA objectives or to be in the national interest. B. Payload Specialists Payload specialists may be added to shuttle crews when more than the minimum crew size of five is needed and unique requirements are involved. In the case of foreign-sponsored missions and payloads, the need and requirements for payload specialists will be negotiated and mutually agreed between the foreign sponsors and NASA. The selection process for additional crew members to meet approved requirements will first give consideration to qualified NASA mission specialists. When payload specialists are required they will be nominated by the appropriate NASA, foreign, or other designated payload sponsor. In the case of NASA or NASA-related payloads, the nominations will be based on the recommendations of the appropriate Investigator Working Group (IWG). C. Space Flight Participants NASA remains committed to the long-term goal of providing space flight opportunities for persons outside the professional categories of NASA Astronauts and Payload Specialists when this contributes to approved NASA objectives or is determined to be in the national interest. However, NASA is devoting its attention to proving the Shuttle system's capability for safe, reliable operation and to reducing the backlog of high priority missions. Accordingly, flight opportunities for Space Flight Participants are not available at this time. NASA will assess Shuttle operations and mission and payload requirements on an annual basis to determine when it can begin to allocate and assign space flight opportunities for future Space Flight Participants, consistent with safety and mission considerations. When NASA determines that a flight opportunity is available for a space flight participant, first priority will be given to a "Teacher in Space" in fulfillment of space education plans.