|
|
 |
|
|
|
register |
bbs |
search |
rss |
faq |
about
|
|
|
meet up |
add to del.icio.us |
digg it
|
|
|
|
Policy regarding civilians on the shuttle
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.
-end-
|
|
|
To the best of our knowledge, the text on this page may be freely reproduced and distributed.
If you have any questions about this, please check out our Copyright Policy.
totse.com certificate signatures
|
|
|
About | Advertise | Bad Ideas | Community | Contact Us | Copyright Policy | Drugs | Ego | Erotica
FAQ | Fringe | Link to totse.com | Search | Society | Submissions | Technology
|
|
|
|
|
|
