Ed Campion
Headquarters, Washington, DC                October 24, 1995
(Phone:  202/358-1780)

Kyle Herring
Johnson Space Center, Houston
(Phone:  713/483-5111)

RELEASE:  95-191

ASTRONAUT LAWRENCE TO REMAIN IN UNITED STATES

     Astronaut Wendy Lawrence, scheduled to begin one year 
of training in Russia as backup to astronaut John Blaha, 
will remain in the United States after a determination was 
made that she did not meet the minimum height requirements 
to safely fit in a Soyuz descent vehicle.

     Earlier this month, astronaut Scott Parazynski 
discontinued his Mir training when sitting height parameters 
raised concerns over his ability to fit safely in the Soyuz 
capsule.  Lawrence was to begin her training in Russia in 
early October but remained in Houston as discussions about 
possible flexibility in the height requirements continued 
between U.S. and Russian space flight experts.  

     Shuttle managers have reviewed all the astronauts 
currently assigned or under consideration to be assigned to 
a Mir flight and are satisfied that the crew members 
scheduled to fly on board Mir are well within the physical 
requirements for the Soyuz capsule. 

     Replacements for both Parazynski and Lawrence will be 
named shortly.  "Both Scott and Wendy are now eligible for 
assignment to a Shuttle flight," said David Leestma, 
Director, Flight Crew Operations.

                    - end -


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