Mark Hess
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.                                               
June 28, 1991
(Phone:  202/453-4164)                                                              
2 P.M. EDT

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

RELEASE:  91-101

ASTRONAUT O'CONNOR TO LEAVE NASA

   Astronaut Bryan D. O'Connor will leave NASA July 29 to 
become Commander of the Marine Air Detachment at the Naval Air 
Test Center, Patuxent River, Md., effective August 2.  O'Connor 
is a colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps.

   O'Connor has flown on two Space Shuttle missions.  He was 
Commander on STS-40 Spacelab Life Sciences-1 mission, June 
5-14, 1991, which was dedicated to life sciences research, and 
Pilot on Space Shuttle mission STS 61-B launched Nov. 26, 1985, 
on which three communications satellites were deployed and two 
6-hour "spacewalks" were conducted to demonstrate Space Station 
Freedom construction techniques.

   In addition to his flight assignments, O'Connor has served 
in several key positions during his 11-year tenure at Johnson 
Space Center, Houston.  O'Connor was Assistant to the Shuttle 
Program Manager from March 1986 until February 1988, Chairman 
of NASA's Space Flight Safety Panel from September 1986 to 
February 1989 and Deputy Director of Flight Crew Operations 
since August 1989.

   "My career at NASA has been extremely rewarding.  I return 
to the Marine Corps enriched by the experiences and friendships 
I've gained over these 11 years." O'Connor said.

   "Bryan's outstanding contributions to the Shuttle Program, 
to the safety panel and to this directorate exemplify standards 
of excellence to which everyone should aspire.  His leadership 
qualities will serve him well in his new assignment.  We will 
miss him and wish him continued success.", Director of Flight 
Crew Operations Donald R. Puddy said.

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