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.

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