Ed Campion
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.                 February 20, 1990
(Phone:  202/453-8536)


RELEASE:  90-26

UCAR TO STUDY POSSIBLE USES OF EXTERNAL TANKS

     The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and 
the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR), 
Boulder, Colo., have signed an agreement under which NASA will 
support UCAR's exploration of the feasibility of using Shuttle 
external tanks (ETs) as research, storage or manufacturing 
facilities in low-Earth orbit.

     Under the agreement, UCAR has the main responsibility to 
address the issues associated with their planned orbital use of 
external tanks.  NASA's support of UCAR's efforts is on a direct 
cost, reimbursable basis.

     The ET is a structure (154 feet long, 28.6 feet in diameter) 
which is used to carry the 500,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen and 
oxygen used with the Space Shuttle main engines during launch and 
initial orbit insertion.

     The agreement follows an announcement of opportunity NASA 
published in June 1988 which asked the private sector for 
expressions of interest in commercial and academic approaches for 
use of expended ETs.  This activity is part of NASA's effort to 
seek and encourage, to the maximum extent possible, the fullest 
commercial use of space.




                           - end  -





TO:  MDS/PRA Group
     1615 L Street, N.W. - Suite 100
     Washington, D.C. 20036

DATE & TIME:  FEBRUARY 20,1990  4:35pm

ORDERED BY:  Edward Campion
NASA Headquarters/LMD
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20546             PHONE:  202/453-8400

PROJECT TITLE:  Release No:  90-026

PRINT ORDER:  2212

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MAIL DATE:  FEBRUARY 21,1990

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