Mark Hess
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.                                                                
May 31, 1991
(Phone:  202/453-4164)

Barbara Schwartz
Johnson Space Center, Houston
(Phone:  713/483-5111)

RELEASE:  91-86

ASTRONAUT LOUNGE TO LEAVE NASA

     Astronaut John M. "Mike" Lounge will leave NASA June 21 
to become Director of Houston Operations for SPACEHAB, Inc.  
SPACEHAB is providing a pressurized module to be flown in the 
orbiter's payload bay to augment NASA's ability to carry 
middeck experiments.  It will fly on a series of Space Shuttle 
flights beginning in late 1992.

     Lounge is currently Chief of the Space Station Support 
Office in the Flight Crew Operations Directorate, dealing with 
Space Station design and operation.  Lounge was hired by JSC 
in 1978 as an engineer in the Payloads Operations Division.  
He was selected as an astronaut candidate in 1980.

     Lounge has flown on three Shuttle missions:  STS 51-I 
launched Aug. 23, 1985; STS-26, Sept. 29, 1988; and STS-35, 
Dec. 2,1990.  

     "Mike has made many significant contributions to this 
organization and to the Space Program during his tenure.  He 
will be missed by everyone.  We wish him the best in his new 
position and look forward to working with him in this 
capacity," Director of Flight Crew Operations Donald R. Puddy 
said.

     Lounge provided the following statement regarding his 
decision to leave NASA:

     "This is a very tough job to leave, but I feel that three 
flights is my fair share, and I'm ready for a new challenge.

     'I remain completely dedicated to our long-term mission 
of the exploration and exploitation of space.  We are building 
the pyramids of our civilization, and it takes a huge team to 
get that done.  I'm not leaving the team, I'm just changing 
positions.

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                             -2-

     'For the past several years I have been working on design 
and operations concepts for the Space Station Freedom.  When I 
made my decision to leave NASA several months ago, I thought 
the station program was finally in pretty good shape and could 
look forward to a period of stability and real design 
progress.  I'm sorry to see such a vital project become 
embroiled in budget reduction politics. The station is a very 
important stone in this pyramid we are building.

     'I'll always be inspired by the professionalism, the 
dedication and the talent of the great NASA family."

                            -end-