Paula Cleggett-Haleim
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.                                           
September 3, 1993
(Phone:  202/358-0883)


RELEASE:  93-159

MARS OBSERVER INVESTIGATION BOARD MEMBERS NAMED
                                      
   Dr. Timothy Coffey, Chairman of the Mars Observer Investigation 
Board, today recommended the remaining board members for approval 
by NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin.

   In accepting the recommendations, Goldin said, "I have full 
confidence that the board will do its utmost in providing a 
thorough and systematic review to determine the cause for the loss 
of communications with Mars Observer."

   "The members were selected based on their significant 
experience in the development, acquisition and operation of space 
systems," said Dr. Coffey, who also is the Director of Research at 
the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), Washington, D.C.

   The board will investigate and determine, to the extent 
possible, the cause of the loss of communications and recommend 
corrective actions to prevent a recurrence in future missions.

   The board plans to present its findings to the NASA 
Administrator in late November.  A final report will be released 
and made public after final acceptance by the NASA Administrator.  
The board includes:

   ù Thomas C. Betterton         Rear Admiral, United States Navy
   ù Peter G. Wilhelm       Director of Naval Center for Space
                            Technology, NRL
   ù Dr. Michael D. Griffin      Chief Engineer, NASA
   ù Dr. Joseph Janni       Chief Scientist, Air Force Phillips 
Laboratory
   ù Dr. Kathryn D. Sullivan     Chief Scientist, National Oceanic 
and 
                            Atmospheric Administration

   Communication with the Mars Observer was lost at 6 p.m. PDT on 
Saturday, Aug. 21.  The spacecraft was set to enter Mars orbit at 
approximately 1:30 p.m. PDT on Tuesday, Aug. 24.
                             - end -