Laurie Boeder                                
August 23, 1994
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.
(Phone: 202/358-1898)

RELEASE:  94-137

MANSFIELD TO LEAD NEW OFFICE OF SPACE ACCESS AND TECHNOLOGY 

     NASA announced today the formation of the Office of Space
Access and Technology (Code X) at NASA Headquarters in
Washington, D.C.  John E. Mansfield has been selected as the new
NASA Associate Administrator for the office.

     The new office was created through a merger of the Office of
Advanced Concepts and Technology (Code C) and the Office of Space
Systems Development (Code D).  This merger produces a leaner
overall organization with a greater focus on the development of
advanced space technologies and future space launch systems.  It
retains the new ways of doing business and the innovative
technology transfer efforts fostered by the previous offices,
while addressing priorities raised by the Clinton
Administration's just-released National Space Transportation
Policy.

     Mansfield has been serving as a professional staff member on
the Senate Armed Services Committee, where he was responsible for
preparing budgetary and technical advice on a range of national
strategic issues and programs.  He previously held a number of
management and technical positions related to advanced aerospace
technology, including chief scientist for the Defense Advanced
Research Projects Agency and assistant to the deputy director of
the Defense Nuclear Agency.   

     Mansfield earned a doctorate in theoretical physics from
Harvard University in 1970, and he has received several civil
service awards.

     Gregory M. Reck, who has been serving as Acting Associate
Administrator for the Office of Advanced Concepts and Technology,
will become Deputy Associate Administrator of the new office.

     These changes are effective September 6, 1994.


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