January 12, 1997

Eileen M. Hawley
Johnson Space Center
(281) 483-5111

Release: J98-2

Final Group of Interviewees Arrives for Selection Process

The final of six groups of prospective astronauts will visit the Johnson Space Center (JSC) the week of January 12 for interviews, orientation and medical evaluations as the astronaut selection process concludes.

With the arrival of this group of interviewees, 121 candidates selected from more than 2,600 applicants, will have participated in the selection process for an opportunity to be among those named as astronaut candidates for the class of 1998. The final selections will be announced in early 1998 with the new class reporting next summer.

The sixth group of 20 applicants includes: James D. Collier, (Lt. Col., USAF), Centreville, VA; Stephen Corda, Ph.D., Rosamond, CA; Dean B. Eppler, Ph.D., Houston, TX; Robert H. Ess, Lexington Park, MD; Michael E. Haddad, Cocoa Beach, FL; Patricia C. Hilliard, M.D., Seabrook, TX; John M. Horack, Ph.D., Huntsville, AL; Aaron B. Kiely, Ph.D., Pasadena, CA; Mark H. Kliss, Ph.D., Sunnyvale, CA; Cheryl A. McPhillips, Merritt Island, FL; David M. Nelson, (Lt. Col., USAF), Woodbridge, VA; Donald E. Reed, (Lt. Col., USA), League City, TX; Christopher M. Rey, Ph.D., Hockessin, DE; Robert A. Rivers, Poquoson, VA; Cassandra T. Swain, Ph.D., Aberdeen, NJ; Gerald A. Swift, (Capt.,USAF), Piney Point, MD; Evan C. Thomas, (Capt., USAF), Edwards, CA; Robert A. Wilson, (Major, USAF), Lancaster, CA; Michelle F. Yarborough, (Lt. Col., USA), Clarksville, TN; Darrell F. Zimbelman, Ph.D., Columbia, MD.

Astronaut candidate selections are conducted approximately every two years with the number of candidates selected depending on Space Shuttle flight rates, overall program requirements and astronaut attrition rates.

text-only version of this release