Jennifer McCarter
Headquarters, Washington, DC                    February 24, 1999
(Phone:  202/358-1639)

James Hartsfield
Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX
(Phone:  281/483-5111)

Brian Chase
United Space Alliance
(Phone:  281/212-6369)

RELEASE:  99-26

SPACE SHUTTLE DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE SET FOR JUNE;
NATIONAL FORUM TO FOCUS ON SHUTTLE OF THE FUTURE

     NASA and Space Shuttle prime contractor United Space Alliance
will hold a national conference June 10-11 to identify emerging
technologies and system concepts as candidates for next-generation
upgrades to the Space Shuttle.  The first annual Space Shuttle
Development Conference will be held at the South Shore Harbour
Conference Center in League City, TX.

     The conference will feature new technology demonstrations,
advanced system concepts and design proposals for Space Shuttle
avionics, propulsion, power, ground systems and major element
configurations.

     "Since it was first designed, the Shuttle has continuously
evolved, taking advantage of new technology when possible to
increase safety, reduce cost and enhance its capabilities.  We
need to ensure that it continues this evolution and remains ready
to meet the requirements in space for this country well into the
21st century," Space Shuttle Program Manager Tommy Holloway said.
"We want this conference to be a forum for ideas that will help us
meet that goal.  We anticipate that it will lead to opportunities
for NASA and industry to invest in developments that will continue
the Shuttle's evolution toward an even safer, more reliable and
more affordable future.

     "Even with the achievements it has amassed during the past 17
years, so far the Space Shuttle has only flown for about a quarter
of the lifetime for which it was originally designed," Holloway
added.  "Today, it remains the most reliable launch vehicle in the
world, and its capabilities in orbit are unmatched as it begins
assembly of the International Space Station."

     In addition to candidate technologies and systems, next-
generation missions for the Shuttle will be presented and
discussed, including research, technology testing, satellite
retrieval and refueling, and vehicle assembly in orbit.

     "Nothing in existence can match the capabilities of the Space
Shuttle in orbit," said United Space Alliance Shuttle Development
Director Andrew Allen.  "As next generation vehicles are being
developed, it is imperative that we continue to evolve and improve
the overall system and assure its availability to support human
operations aboard the space station and to meet the needs of the
new millennium."

     Organizations interested in submitting proposals, exhibits,
or technology demonstrations should contact United Space Alliance
at 281/212-6222.  Registration materials for the conference will
be available beginning March 12 by mail and via the USA web site
at:  www.unitedspacealliance.com

                              -end-