Ed Campion
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.                         May 2, 
1991
(Phone:  202/453-1134)

Barbara Schwartz 
Johnson Space Center, Houston
(Phone:  713/483-5111)


RELEASE:  91-68

ASTRONAUT MARY CLEAVE JOINS NASA ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT

   Astronaut Mary L. Cleave, Ph.D., P.E., will become Deputy 
Project Manager for SeaWiFS, Sea Viewing Wide Field Sensors, at 
the NASA Goddard Spaceflight Center, Greenbelt, Md., beginning 
May 19, 1991.

   SeaWiFS is a joint NASA and commercial project to learn 
about the biological mass in the ocean by studying the 
chlorophyll content to determine how much plankton is produced.  
Information on whether plants in the ocean can absorb enough 
carbon dioxide and produce necessary oxygen to prevent global 
warming will be one focal point for this research.  An 
eight-channel data collection camera will be launched using a 
Pegasus booster.

   "Earth observations experience I gained as an astronaut will 
be beneficial to me in this new capacity.  I'm eager to have 
this opportunity to make a contribution to environmental 
research," Cleave said.

   "We are sorry to see Mary leave JSC (Johnson Space Center) but 
are happy that she will stay in the NASA family.  We wish her 
success in her new job," Director of Flight Crew Operations Donald 
R. Puddy said.

   Cleave has flown on two Space Shuttle missions.  During 
STS-61B, three telecommunication satellites were deployed and 
two 6-hour "spacewalks" were conducted to demonstrate Space 
Station Freedom construction techniques.  Cleave controlled the 
Shuttle's robot arm to assist in these activities.  On STS-30, 
crew members successfully deployed the Magellan 
Venus-exploration spacecraft and performed numerous middeck 
experiments.

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