Vera Hirschberg
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.                                         
August 27, 1991
(Phone:  202/453-8425)

Marilyn Edwards
Lewis Research Center, Cleveland
(Phone:  216/433-2899)


RELEASE:   91-140

CONFERENCE SET TO DISCUSS ADVANCED SEI TECHNOLOGIES


   NASA's Lewis Research Center, Cleveland, the American 
Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and the Ohio 
Aerospace Institute will co-sponsor a conference on Advanced 
Space Exploration Initiative (SEI) Technologies at the 
Cleveland Convention Center on Sept. 4-6, 1991.

   More than 200 participants will present papers focusing on 
the technologies to enable exploration and scientific 
expeditions back to the Moon, to Mars and to other planets.  
Topics will cover the historical perspective, current projects 
and future technologies required to pursue SEI.

   Astronaut Franklin Chang-Diaz and representatives of the 
Federation of American Scientists and the National Space 
Society will be among the participants in a panel on the social 
issues associated with SEI, including those associated with 
nuclear power and nuclear propulsion programs.

   Arnold D. Aldrich, NASA Associate Administrator for 
Aeronautics, Exploration and Technology and Richard Kohrs, 
Director, Space Station Freedom, will be among panel 
participants on the impact of the technology requirements for 
SEI, including the recommendations made by the Advisory 
Committee on the Future of the U.S. Space Program and the 
Synthesis Group.

   The conference is a cornerstone of Lewis' 50th anniversary 
celebration, which highlights the center's contributions to the 
advancement of aerospace technologies. 

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Note to Editors:  A media briefing covering NASA Lewis Research 
Center's past and present efforts relating to nuclear power and 
nuclear propulsion systems will be held at the center at 10 
a.m. on Sept. 3, 1991.  News media desiring more information or 
wishing to participate in the briefing or conference, may call 
the Media Relations Office at NASA Lewis Research Center at 
216/433-2899.  Copies of most of the conference papers may be 
obtained by contacting Marsha Lyons of the AIAA at 
202/646-7528. 

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