Kenneth C. Atchison         
NASA Headquarters, Washington, D.C.                 April 9, 1990
(Phone: 202/453-8400)


RELEASE:  90-50

GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER DIRECTOR PLANS RETIREMENT



     NASA Administrator Richard H. Truly today announced the 
planned retirement of Dr. John W. Townsend, Director of NASA's 
Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.  Townsend's 
retirement will be effective June 30, 1990.


     Truly paid tribute to Townsend for his long career in 
government service.  "Jack Townsend exemplifies the best in 
government servants," said Truly.  "He came back to NASA in June 
of 1987 to help out in the post-Challenger recovery period after 
a distinguished career in a number of positions at NASA and in 
other government agencies.  As he departs 33 years of 
distinguished public service, all of us at NASA wish him the best 
in his years ahead."


     Townsend started his government career in 1947 at the Naval 
Research Laboratory, Wash., D.C.  In the 30 years that followed, 
he worked at NASA and at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration where he rose to Associate Administrator.  While 
at NASA, Townsend held several positions at Goddard Space Flight 
Center including Assistant Director, Space Science and Satellite 
Applications; Deputy Center Director; and most recently, Center 
Director.  He was one of three U.S. principals that negotiated 
the first bilateral space cooperative agreements with the 
U.S.S.R. in 1962.


     He left the federal government in 1977 to join private 
industry where he held a number of senior executive positions at 
Fairchild Industries before returning to NASA in 1987.  Townsend 
was educated at Williams College, Williamstown, Mass.


                            - end -



TO:  MDS/PRA Group
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DATE & TIME:  APRIL 11, 1990 1:30pm

ORDERED BY:  Edward Campion
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PROJECT TITLE:  Release No:  90-50

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