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National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Houston, Texas 77058 AC 713 483-5111

Rh Jeffrey Carr RELEASE NO. 90-037

SHUTTLE CREW COMMANDERS REASSIGNED

Two veteran Shuttle crew commanders have been removed from flight assignments for violations of Johnson Space Center flight crew operations guidelines. They are Navy Cmdr. Robert L. "Hoot" Gibson and Navy Capt. David M. Walker.

Gibson, crew commander for Shuttle mission STS-46, has been removed from the flight and from T-38 jet trainer flight status for one year for violation of a policy which restricts high risk recreational activities for astronauts named to flight crews.

Director of Flight Crew Operations Donald R. Puddy has announced the action in response to Gibson's participation in an airplane race at a civilian airshow in central Texas, on Saturday.

“Our high risk activity policy defines plain and simple guidelines for astronauts assigned to flight crews. They are intended to preserve our crews as assigned and apply regardless of the time prior to launch," said Puddy.

The policy defines high risk recreational activities as those which involve exposure to major or fatal injury. “The race was a clear violation of the policy," he said.

Gibson has flown aboard the Shuttle as pilot on mission STS-41B in February, 1984, and as crew commander on STS-61C in January, 1986, and on STS-27 in December, 1988. A new crew commander will be named in the near future.

Air Force Col. Frederick D, Gregory will replace Walker as crew commander on Shuttle flight STS-44, a dedicated Department of Defense mission set for March, 1991. Walker has been replaced on the flight and suspended from T~-38 flight status for 60 days for infractions of JSC aircraft operating guidelines.