Mark Hess/Ed Campion Headquarters, Washington, DC January 27, 1995 (Phone: 202/358-1778) Kyle Herring Johnson Space Center, Houston (Phone: 713/483-5111) RELEASE: 95-9 SPACE SHUTTLE CREW SELECTED FOR TETHERED SATELLITE MISSION Marine Corps Lt. Col. Andrew M. Allen will command Space Shuttle Columbia's STS-75 mission in early 1996 -- the second flight of the Tethered Satellite System (TSS). This flight also marks the third devoted to orbital investigations using the United States Microgravity Payload (USMP). Joining Allen are Air Force Major Scott J. Horowitz, pilot; payload commander Franklin R. Chang-Diaz, Ph.D; Italian Space Agency (ASI) TSS payload specialist Umberto Guidoni, Ph.D; mission specialist Jeffrey A. Hoffman, Ph.D; and European Space Agency mission specialists Claude Nicollier from Switzerland and Maurizio Cheli from Italy. Chang-Diaz and Guidoni were named to the crew in August and October 1994, respectively. Four of the seven crew members flew on STS-46 in July/August 1992 -- the first TSS mission during which the satellite was deployed to a distance of about 900 feet (274 meters) from the Shuttle. The TSS project is a joint NASA/ASI effort managed by the Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL. On STS- 75, the five-foot diameter (1.6 meter) Italian-built satellite is scheduled to be deployed on the end of a 13- mile long (20 kilometer) conductive tether to study the electrodynamic effects of moving such a tether through the Earth's magnetic field. The experiment also will test techniques for managing the tethered spacecraft at great distances. Throughout the 13-day flight, additional experiments housed in the Orbiter's payload bay will permit scientists access to space for microgravity and fundamental science investigations. The USMP is designed to provide the foundation for advanced scientific investigations similar to those planned aboard the international Space Station. - more - - 2 - Allen, 39, flew on STS-46 and on STS-62 in March 1994. He received a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from Villanova University in 1977. Allen was born in Philadelphia, PA. Horowitz, 37, is a member of the astronaut class of 1992 and will be making his first Shuttle flight. His master of science and doctorate degrees in aerospace engineering were earned from Georgia Institute of Technology in 1979 and 1982, respectively. While born in Philadelphia, he considers Thousand Oaks, CA, his hometown. Chang-Diaz will be flying on his fifth Shuttle mission. He was a mission specialist on STS 61-C in January 1986, STS-34 in October 1989, STS-46, and STS-60 in February 1994. His doctorate in applied plasma physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology was awarded in 1977. Chang-Diaz, 44, was born in San Jose, Costa Rica. Guidoni, 40, was born in Rome, Italy, and holds a bachelor of science degree in physics and a Ph.D. in astrophysics from the University of Rome. He was the alternate payload specialist on the first TSS flight and is a co-investigator on the Research on Electrodynamic Tether Effects (RETE) experiment scheduled during the mission. STS-75 will be his first Shuttle flight. Hoffman, 50, will be making his fifth Shuttle flight. His previous space flight experience includes STS 51-D in April 1985, STS-35 in December 1990, STS-46, and STS-61 in December 1993. His doctorate in astrophysics was obtained from Harvard University in 1971. Hoffman was born in Brooklyn, NY, but considers Scarsdale, NY, his hometown. Nicollier, 50, has flown twice previously on the Shuttle -- STS-46 and STS-61 in December 1993. He earned his master of science degree in astrophysics from the University of Geneva in 1975. Nicollier was born in Vevey, Switzerland. Cheli, 35, is a member of the astronaut class of 1992 and will be making his first Shuttle flight. He studied geophysics at the University of Rome in 1989 and received a master of science in aerospace engineering from the University of Houston. Cheli was born in Modena, Italy. - end - NASA press releases and other information are available automatically by sending an Internet electronic mail message to domo@hq.nasa.gov. In the body of the message (not the subject line) users should type the words "subscribe press- release" (no quotes). The system will reply with a confirmation via E-mail of each subscription. A second automatic message will include additional information on the service. Questions should be directed to (202) 358-4043.