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Sen. Glenn Gets a \"GO\" for Space Shuttle Mission

Michael Braukus
Headquarters, Washington, DC                      January 16, 1998
(Phone: 202/358-1979)


RELEASE: 98-8

SEN. GLENN GETS A "GO" FOR SPACE SHUTTLE MISSION

     NASA today named John Glenn to the crew of  the Space Shuttle 
Discovery,  scheduled to launch in October.  Glenn will serve as a 
payload specialist on that mission. 

     Glenn made history 35 years ago when he strapped himself into 
a nine- by -seven foot capsule atop an experimental rocket and 
became the first American to orbit the Earth.  Recently he asked 
NASA if he could fly again to conduct space-based research on 
aging, but only if he met the agency's physical and mental 
requirements.

     "Not only is John Glenn a Marine test pilot, an astronaut, 
and the first American to orbit the Earth, he brings a unique 
blend of experience to NASA," said NASA Administrator Daniel S. 
Goldin.  "He has flight, operational, and policy experience.  
Unlike most astronauts, he never got the opportunity for a second 
flight.  He is part of the NASA family, an American hero, and he 
has the right stuff for this mission."

     Glenn, who still flies his own plane, flew 149 missions as a 
Marine fighter pilot in World War II and Korea, and was hit by 
enemy fire 11 times.  As a test pilot, he set a transcontinental 
speed record and recently set a record for speed on a flight from 
Dayton, OH, to Washington.

     Since aging and space flight share a number of similar 
physiological responses, the study of space flight may provide a 
model system to help scientists interested in understanding aging.  
Some of these similarities include bone and muscle loss, balance 
disorders and sleep disturbances.  Space biomedical researchers 
and gerontologists believe more research in these areas could help 
older people live more productive and active lives, and could 
reduce the number of individuals requiring long-term medical care 
in their later years. 

      Senator Glenn has been a catalyst in promoting  the use of 
space flight for the benefit of healthy and productive aging.  

     The human research on this mission will be conducted by NASA 
and the National Institute on Aging, part of the National 
Institutes of Health.  The research was peer reviewed by 
independent scientists, and includes studies on sleep disorders, 
muscle atrophy, balance, and clinical evaluations of blood and 
heart function.

     "The research on this mission will contribute to building our 
knowledge and understanding of the aging process," said Dr. 
Richard Hodes, director of the National Institute on Aging.  "The 
data collected will be used to conduct continued research on how 
aging affects sleep cycles, muscle deterioration, and balance." 

     Dr. Michael DeBakey, Chancellor Emeritus of Baylor Medical 
College, who reviewed the medical data on Glenn, said he sees "no 
evidence to prevent him from going into space.  Flying Senator 
Glenn offers important opportunities to study the effects of the 
space environment on aging systems as has never been done in the 
past."

     Dr. Robert Butler, professor of Geriatrics at Mount Sinai 
Medical Center, director of the International Longevity Center, 
agreed. 

      "It serves both science and a better understanding of what 
human beings of all ages will experience as we enter the next 
century to have an older person included on a space flight," said 
Butler, one of the nation's foremost gerontologists.  "Senator 
Glenn is particularly well qualified since he has done this 
before, and because of his work with NASA and the National 
Institute on Aging to develop research that will lead to a better 
understanding of the effects of aging.  His involvement makes a 
bold statement about the capabilities of older people and will 
help us understand the effects of aging and space flight.  Senator 
Glenn's courage and willingness to undertake this mission are 
notable."

     NASA has previously flown astronauts up to 61 years old.  At 
least eight crew members over the age of 55 have flown multiple 
missions.  Shannon Lucid was 54 when she spent six months aboard 
the Russian space station Mir.

     Before NASA made the decision to fly Glenn, the senator 
underwent a battery of medical tests conducted by NASA physicians 
and by independent consultants.  They all found him medically 
qualified for space flight.  According to NASA flight surgeons, 
Glenn's fitness level is excellent.

     "We  have 42 years of medical history on Senator Glenn and we 
were able to perform an exhaustive medical evaluation," said Dr. 
Denise Baisden, a NASA flight surgeon.  "He is medically qualified 
to fly."

     A distinguished group of  multi-disciplinary medical experts, 
led by Dr. Clifford C. Dasco of Baylor College of Medicine, 
concurred with Baisden's recommendation.  "There are no 
significant medical issues that would prevent Senator Glenn from 
going into space on the Space Shuttle," the panel concluded.

                        - end -