Jim Cast
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.                                         

September 16, 1994
(Phone:  202/358-1779)

Bruce Buckingham
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
(Phone:  407/867-2468)

RELEASE:  94-154


LAUNCH DATE SET FOR STS-68/ENDEAVOUR

     NASA managers today targeted September 30 for launch of the
Space Shuttle Endeavour and its primary payload, the Space Radar
Laboratory (SRL).  The 2-1/2-hour launch window on the 30th opens at
7:16 a.m., EDT.

     SRL, which first flew last April, will again give scientists
highly detailed information that will help them distinguish between
human-induced environmental changes and other natural forms of change. 
The SRL science team will compare SRL-2 data to SRL-1 data to study
changes in the environment between spring and autumn.

     The STS-68 crew will be commanded by Michael Baker and
piloted by Terrence Wilcutt.  Rounding out the crew are Payload
Commander Thomas Jones, and three additional Mission Specialists: 
Steven Smith, Daniel Bursch and Jeff Wisoff.

     Endeavour, whose three main engines were replaced following
an unsuccessful launch attempt on August 18, will be making its
seventh flight--the 65th of the Space Shuttle Program.

- end -


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