Ed Campion
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.                                   
May 24, 1991
(Phone:  202/453-1134)


RELEASE:  91-79

NASA TO REVIEW SENSOR PROBLEM, TRULY SAYS 
COLUMBIA 'READY TO FLY'


     Following a meeting today with senior management of 
NASA's space flight and safety programs, Administrator 
Richard H. Truly said the agency will conduct a prompt and 
thorough review concerning the recent discovery that a fuel 
sensor removed from Space Shuttle Columbia last fall was 
cracked.  He emphasized, however, that he is confident 
Columbia is fully capable and safe for the upcoming launch of 
STS-40/Space Life Sciences-1.

     "We have appointed an expert panel to review how the 
sensor problem was handled from start to finish," Truly said.  
"Equally important, we want to determine where any 
deficiencies exist in NASA's system for handling such issues.  
I guarantee that any and all necessary changes will be made.  
NASA will continue to place the greatest emphasis on mission 
safety and reliability."  Truly said he expected preliminary 
findings to be announced by NASA management at a briefing 
next Thursday, May 30.

     The NASA Administrator said the sensor problem has been 
corrected on Columbia and poses no risk to the Shuttle and its 
crew of seven, which will undertake a 9-day life sciences 
mission involving many important, first-time experiments.  
Launch, which was originally scheduled for May 22, is now 
tentatively scheduled for June 1.

     In addition to Truly, today's meeting on the sensor issue 
included William B. Lenoir, Associate Administrator for Space 
Flight; Robert L. Crippen, Director, Space Shuttle; and George 
A. 
Rodney, Associate Administrator for Safety and Mission 
Quality.

                                           -end-