Mark Hess
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.                   January 17, 1990
(Phone:  202/453-4164)                           3:00 p.m. EST

Jeffrey Carr
Johnson Space Center, Houston
(Phone:  713/483-5111)

RELEASE:  90-7

1990 ASTRONAUT CANDIDATES SELECTED

    In the first of what will become standard biennial 
selections, 23 new astronaut candidates have been named for the 
Space Shuttle program.

    The candidates were chosen from among 1,945 qualified 
applicants, 106 of whom received interviews and medical 
examinations between September and November 1989.  They will 
report to the Johnson Space Center, Houston, in July to begin a 
year of training and evaluation, after which they will receive 
technical assignments leading to selection for Shuttle flight 
crews.

    The 1990 group consists of 7 pilot candidates and 16 mission 
specialist candidates, including 11 civilians and 12 military 
officers.  Among the 5 women selected are 3 military officers, 
including the first woman to be named as a pilot candidate, and 
the first Hispanic woman to be chosen.  A listing of the 
candidates and biographical data follows.

    A listing of the candidates and their birthplaces follow.  A 
listing of the candidates and short biographical sketches are 
available from all NASA newsrooms.

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                  1990 ASTRONAUT CANDIDATES

Lcdr. Daniel W. Bursch      U.S. Navy            Mission Specialist
Bristol, Pa.

Dr. Leroy Chiao             Civilian             Mission Specialist
Milwaukee, Wisc.

Maj. Michael R.U. Clifford  U.S. Army            Mission Specialist
Norton AFB, Calif.

Kenneth D. Cockrell         Civilian             Pilot
Austin, Texas

Maj. Eileen M. Collins      U.S. Air Force       Pilot
Elmira, N.Y.

Capt. William G. Gregory    U.S. Air Force       Pilot
Lockport, N.Y.

Maj. James D. Halsell, Jr.  U.S. Air Force       Pilot
Monroe, La.

Dr. Bernard A. Harris, Jr.  Civilian             Mission Specialist
Temple, Texas

Capt. Susan J. Helms        U.S. Air Force       Mission Specialist
Charlotte, N.C.

Dr. Thomas D. Jones         Civilian             Mission Specialist
Baltimore, Md.

Maj. Wm. S. McArthur, Jr.   U.S. Army            Mission Specialist
Laurinburg, N.C.

Dr. James H. Newman         Civilian             Mission Specialist
Trust Territory of the
Pacific Islands

Dr. Ellen Ochoa             Civilian             Mission Specialist
Los Angeles, Calif.

Maj. Charles J. Precourt    U.S. Air Force       Pilot
Waltham, Mass.

Capt. Richard A. Searfoss   U.S. Air Force       Pilot
Mount Clemens, Mich.

Dr. Ronald M. Sega          Civilian             Mission Specialist
Cleveland, Ohio

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                                 -3-

Capt. Nancy J. Sherlock     U.S. Army            Mission Specialist
Wilmington, Del.

Dr. Donald A. Thomas        Civilian             Mission Specialist
Cleveland, Ohio

Dr. Janice E. Voss          Civilian             Mission Specialist
South Bend, Ind.

Capt. Carl E. Walz          U.S. Air Force       Mission Specialist
Cleveland, Ohio

Maj. Terrence W. Wilcutt    U.S. Marine Corps    Pilot
Russellville, Ky.

Dr. Peter J. K. Wisoff      Civilian             Mission Specialist
Norfolk, Va.

Dr. David A. Wolf           Civilian             Mission Specialist
Indianapolis, Ind.

                                -end-

                          BIOGRAPHICAL DATA
                    1990 ASTRONAUT CENDIDATE CLASS

NAME:  Daniel W. Bursch, Lt. Cmdr., USN, Mission Specialist
BIRTHPLACE/DATE:  July 25, 1957 - Bristol, Penn.
RESIDENCE:  Pacific Grove, Calif.
EDUCATION:  Vestal Senior High School, Vestal, N.Y.
            BS, Physics, US Naval Academy, 1979
CURRENT POSITION:  Student, US Naval Postgraduate School
PARENTS:  Mr. & Mrs. Donald D. Bursch, Charlotte, N.C.
MARITAL STATUS:  Single.  One child.

..................................................................

NAME:  Leroy Chiao, Ph.D., Mission Specialist
BIRTHPLACE/DATE:  August 28, 1960 - Milwaukee, Wis.
RESIDENCE:  Danville, Calif.
EDUCATION:  Monte Vista High School, Danville, Calif.
            BS, Chemical Engineering, Univ. of California,
            Berkeley, 1983
            MS, Chemical Engineering, Univ. of California,
            Santa Barbara, 1985
            Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, Univ. of California,
            Santa Barbara, 1987
CURRENT POSITION:  Research Engineer, Lawrence Livermore
                   National Laboratory, Livermore, Calif.
PARENTS:  Mr. and Mrs. Tsu Tao Chiao, Fairfield, Calif.
MARITAL STATUS:  Single

..................................................................

NAME: Michael R. U. Clifford, Major, USA, Mission Specialist
BIRTHPLACE/DATE:  October 13, 1952 - Norton AFB, Calif.
RESIDENCE:  Seabrook, Texas
EDUCATION:  Ben Lomond High School, Ogden, Utah
            BS, Basic Science, US Military Academy, 1974
            MS, Aerospace Engineering, Georgia Tech., 1982
CURRENT POSITION:  Vehicle Integration Test Engineer
                   Johnson Space Center
                   Houston, Texas
PARENTS:  John M. Uram, Deceased
          Lenore C. Clifford, Ogden, Utah
MARITAL STATUS:  Married to the former Nancy Elizabeth Brunson.

..................................................................

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NAME:  Kenneth D. Cockrell, Pilot
BIRTHPLACE/DATE:  April, 9, 1950 - Austin, Texas
RESIDENCE:  Houston, Texas
EDUCATION:  Rockdale High School, Rockdale, Texas
            BS, Mechanical Engineering, Univ. of Texas, 1972
            MS, Aero Systems, Univ. of Florida, 1974
            U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, Patuxent River, Md.
CURRENT POSITION:  Aerospace Engineer & Research Pilot
                   NASA/Johnson Space Center
                   Houston, Texas
PARENTS:  Mr. & Mrs. Buford D. Cockrell, Westminister, S.C.
MARITAL STATUS:  Married to the former Joan Denise Raines.

......................................................................

NAME:  Eileen M. Collins, Major, USAF, Pilot
BIRTHPLACE/DATE:  November 19, 1956 - Elmira, N.Y.
RESIDENCE:  Edwards, Calif.
EDUCATION:  Elmira Free Academy, Elmira, N.Y.
            BA, Math, Syracuse Univ., 1978
            MS, Operations Research, Stanford Univ., 1986
            MA, Space Systems Management, Webster Univ., 1989
CURRENT POSITION:  Student
                   USAF Test Pilot School
                   Edwards AFB, Calif.
PARENTS:  James E. Collins, Elmira, N.Y.
          Rose Marie Collins, Elmira, N.Y.
MARITAL STATUS:  Married to James P. Youngs

....................................................................

NAME:  William G. Gregory, Captain, USAF, Pilot
BIRTHPLACE/DATE:  May 14, 1957 - Lockport, N.Y.
RESIDENCE:  Edwards, Calif.
EDUCATION:  Lockport Senior High School, Lockport, N.Y.
            BS, Engineering Science, USAF Academy, 1979
            MS, Engineering Mechanics, Columbia Univ., 1980
            MS, Management, Troy State, 1984
CURRENT POSITION:  Test Pilot
                   Edwards AFB, Calif.
PARENTS:  Mr. & Mrs. William Gregory, Gilbert, Ariz.
MARITAL STATUS:  Married to the former Mary Elizabeth Harney.

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                                 -3-

NAME:  James D. Halsell, Jr., Major, USAF, Pilot
BIRTHPLACE/DATE:  September 29, 1956 - Monroe, La.
RESIDENCE:  Edwards AFB, Calif.
EDUCATION:  West Monroe High School, West Monroe, La.
            BS, Engineering, USAF Academy, 1978
            MS, Management, Troy State, 1983
            MS, Space Operations, AF Institute of Technology, 1985
CURRENT POSITION:  F-16 & SR-71 Test Pilot
                   Edwards AFB, Calif.
PARENTS:  Mr. & Mrs. James D. Halsell, West Monroe, La.
MARITAL STATUS:  Single

.....................................................................

NAME:  Bernard A. Harris, Jr., M.D., Mission Specialist
BIRTHPLACE/DATE:  June 26, 1956 - Temple, Texas
RESIDENCE:  Houston, Texas
EDUCATION:  San Antonio High School, San Antonio, Texas
            BS, Biology, Univ. of Houston, 1978
            MD, Texas Tech Univ., 1982
CURRENT POSITION:  Medical Officer
                   NASA/Johnson Space Center
                   Houston, Texas
PARENTS:  Bernard A. Harris, Sr., Philadelphia, Penn.
          Gussie H. Burgess, San Antonio, Texas
MARITAL STATUS:  Married to the former Sandra Faye Lewis.

...................................................................

NAME:  Susan J. Helms, Captain, USAF, Mission Specialist
BIRTHPLACE/DATE:  February 26, 1958, Charlotte, N.C.
RESIDENCE:  Alberta, Canada
EDUCATION:  Parkrose Senior High School, Portland, Ore.
            BS, Aerospace Engineering, USAF Academy, 1980
            MS, Aeronautics/Astronautics, Stanford Univ., 1985
CURRENT POSITION:  Flight Test Engineer
                   Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment
                   Alberta, Canada
PARENTS:  Mr. & Mrs. Patrick G. Helms, Albuquerque, N.M.
MARITAL STATUS:  Single

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                                 -4-

NAME:  Thomas D. Jones, Ph.D., Mission Specialist
BIRTHPLACE/DATE:  January 22, 1955 - Baltimore, Md.
RESIDENCE:  Fairfax, Va.
EDUCATION:  Kenwood Senior High School, Baltimore, Md.
            BS, Basic Sciences, USAF Academy, 1977
            Ph.D.., Planetary Science, Univ. of Arizona, 1988
CURRENT POSITION:  Scientist
                   CIA, Office of Research & Development
                   Washington, DC
PARENTS:  Mr. & Mrs. David Jones, Essex, Maryland
MARITAL STATUS:  Married to the former Elizabeth Lynn Fulton.

.....................................................................

NAME:  William S. McArthur, Jr., Major, USA, Mission Specialist
BIRTHPLACE/DATE:  July 26, 1951 - Laurinburg, N.C.
RESIDENCE:  Houston, Texas
EDUCATION:  Red Springs High School, Red Springs, N. Car.
            BS, Applied Sci. & Engr., US Military Academy, 1973
            MS, Aerospace Engineering, Georgia Tech, 1983
CURRENT POSITION:  Vehicle Integration Test Engineer
                   Johnson Space Center
                   Houston, Texas
PARENTS:  William S. McArthur, Deceased
          Edith P. Avant, Wakulla, N. Car.
MARITAL STATUS:  Married to the former Cynthia Kathryn Lovin.

......................................................................

NAME:  James H. Newman, Ph.D., Mission Specialist
BIRTHPLACE/DATE:  October 16, 1956 - Trust Territory of the
                  Pacific Islands
RESIDENCE:  Houston, Texas
EDUCATION:  La Jolla High School, La Jolla, Calif.
            BA, Physics, Dartmouth College, 1978
            MA, Physics, Rice Univ., 1982
            MS, Physics, Rice Univ., 1984
CURRENT POSITION:  Simulation Supervisor
                   NASA/Johnson Space Center
                   Houston, Texas
PARENTS:  William A. Newman, La Jolla, Calif.
          Ruth A. Newman, La Jolla, California
MARITAL STATUS:  Single

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                                 -5-

NAME:  Ellen Ochoa, Ph.D., Mission Specialist
BIRTHPLACE/DATE:  May 10, 1958 - Los Angeles, Calif.
RESIDENCE:  Los Altos, Calif.
EDUCATION:  Grossmont High School, La Mesa, Calif.
            BS, Physics, San Diego State, 1980
            MS, Electrical Engineering, Stanford Univ., 1981
            Ph.D.., Electrical Engineering, Stanford Univ., 1985
CURRENT POSITION:  Optical Physicist
                   NASA/Ames Research Center
                   Moffett Field, Calif.
PARENTS:  Joseph L. Ochoa and
          Rosanne Ochoa, La Mesa, Calif.
MARITAL STATUS:  Single

....................................................................

NAME:  Charles J. Precourt, Major, USAF, Pilot
BIRTHPLACE/DATE:  June 29, 1955 - Waltham, Mass.
RESIDENCE:  Middletown, R.I.
EDUCATION:   Hudson High School, Hudson, Mass.
             BS, Aeronautical Engineering, USAF Academy, 1977
             MS, Management, Golden Gate U., 1988
CURRENT POSITION:  Student
                   Naval War College of Command and Staff
                   Newport, R.I.
PARENTS:  Mr. & Mrs. Charles A. Precourt, Hudson, Mass.
MARITAL STATUS: Married to the former Lynne Denise Mungle

...................................................................

NAME:  Richard A. Searfoss, Major, USAF, Pilot
BIRTHPLACE/DATE:  June 6, 1956 - Mount Clemens, Mich.
RESIDENCE:  Lancaster, Calif.
EDUCATION:  Portsmouth Senior High School, Portsmouth, N.H.
            BS, Aerospace Engineering, USAF Academy, 1978
            MS, Aerospace Engineering, Caltech, 1979
CURRENT POSITION:  Instructor/Deputy Chief-Flying Qualities
                   USAF Test Pilot School
                   Edwards AFB, Calif.
PARENTS:  Stanley G. Searfoss, Lakeland, Fla.
          Mary K. Searfoss, Deceased
MARITAL STATUS:  Married to the former Julie McGuire

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                                 -6-

NAME:  Ronald M. Sega, Ph.D., Mission Specialist
BIRTHPLACE/DATE:  December 4, 1952 - Cleveland, Ohio
RESIDENCE:  Seabrook, Texas
EDUCATION:  Nordonia High School, Macedonia, Ohio
            BS, Physics/Math, USAF Academy, 1974
            MS, Physics, Ohio State, 1975
            Ph.D.., Electrical Engineering, Univ. of Colorado, 1982
CURRENT POSITION:  Asst. Director for Flight Programs/Professor
                   Univ. of Houston-Space Vacuum Epitaxy Center
                   Houston, Texas
PARENTS:  Mr. & Mrs. John R. Sega, Arvada, Colo.
MARITAL STATUS:  Married to Bonnie J. Dunbar

......................................................................

NAME:  Nancy J. Sherlock, Captain, USA, Mission Specialist
BIRTHPLACE/DATE:  December 29, 1958 - Wilmington, Del.
RESIDENCE:  Houston, Texas
EDUCATION: Troy High School, Troy, Ohio
           BA, Biological Science, Ohio State, 1980
           MS, Safety Engineering, Univ of Southern CA., 1985
CURRENT POSITION:  Flight Simulation Engineer
                   Johnson Space Center
                   Houston, Texas
PARENTS:  Mr. & Mrs. Warren F. Decker, Troy, Ohio
MARITAL STATUS:  Married to Richard J. Sherlock

...................................................................

NAME:  Donald A. Thomas, Ph.D., Mission Specialist
BIRTHPLACE/DATE:  May 6, 1955 - Cleveland, Ohio
RESIDENCE:  Seabrook, Texas
EDUCATION:  Cleveland Heights High School, Cleveland, Ohio
            BS, Physics, Case Western Univ., 1977
            MS, Materials Science, Cornell Univ., 1980
            Ph.D., Materials Science, Cornell Univ., 1982
CURRENT POSITION:  Materials Engineer
                   NASA/Johnson Space Center
                   Houston, Texas
PARENTS:  William G. Thomas, Sr., Englewood, Fla.
          Irene M. Thomas, American Embassy, Burma
MARITAL STATUS:  Married to the former Kristine R. Castagnola

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                                 -7-

NAME:  Janice E. Voss, Ph.D., Mission Specialist
BIRTHPLACE/DATE:  October 8, 1956 - South Bend, Ind.
RESIDENCE:  Houston, Texas
EDUCATION:  Minnechang Regional High School, Wilbraham, Mass.
            BS, Engineering Science, Purdue Univ., 1975
            MS, Electrical Engineering, MIT, 1977
            Ph.D., Aero/Astronautics, MIT, 1987
CURRENT POSITION:  Manager, Integrations & Operations
                   Orbital Sciences Corp.
                   Houston, Texas
PARENTS:  Mr. & Mrs. James R. Voss, Wilbraham, Mass.
MARITAL STATUS:  Single

...................................................................

NAME:  Carl E. Walz, Captain, USAF, Mission Specialist
BIRTHPLACE/DATE:  September 6, 1955 - Cleveland, Ohio
RESIDENCE:  Henderson, Nev.
EDUCATION:  Charles T. Brush High School, Lyndhurst, Ohio
            BS, Physics, Kent State, 1977
            MS, Physics, John Carroll Univ., 1979
CURRENT POSITION:  Flight Test Program Manager
                   Air Force Flight Test Center
                   Pittman Station, Nevada
PARENTS:  Mr. & Mrs. Carl J. Walz, South Euclid, Ohio
MARITAL STATUS:  Married to the former Pamela J. Glady

......................................................................

NAME:  Terrence W. Wilcutt, Major, USMC, Pilot
BIRTHPLACE/DATE:  October 31, 1949 - Russellville, Ky.
RESIDENCE:  NAS Patuxent River, Md.
EDUCATION:  Southern High School, Louisville, Ky.
            BA, Math, Western Kentucky Univ., 1974
CURRENT POSITION:  Test Pilot/Project Officer
                   NAS Patuxent River, Maryland
PARENTS: Mr. & Mrs. George B. Wilcutt, Russellville, Ky.
MARITAL STATUS: Married to the former Robin Jo Moyers

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                                 -8-

NAME:  Peter J. K. Wisoff, Ph.D., Mission Specialist
BIRTHPLACE/DATE:  August 16, 1958 - Norfolk, Va.
RESIDENCE: Houston, Texas
EDUCATION:  Norfolk Academy, Norfolk, Va.
            BS, Physics, Univ. of Virginia, 1980
            MS, Physics, Stanford Univ., 1982
            Ph.D., Applied Physics, Stanford Univ., 1986
CURRENT POSITION:  Asst. Professor
                   Rice University
                   Dept. of Electrical & Computer Engineering
                   Houston, Texas
PARENTS:  Mr. & Mrs. Carl P. Wisoff, Norfolk, Va.
MARITAL STATUS:  Single

....................................................................

NAME:  David A. Wolf, M.D., Mission Specialist
BIRTHPLACE/DATE:  August 23, 1956 - Indianapolis, Ind.
RESIDENCE:  Houston, Texas
EDUCATION:  BS, Electrical Engineer, Purdue Univ., 1978
            M.D., Indiana Univ., 1982
CURRENT POSITION:  Aerospace Medical Officer
                   NASA/Johnson Space Center
                   Houston, Texas
PARENTS:  Harry Wolf, Indianapolis, Ind.
          Dorothy Wolf, Indianapolis, Ind.
MARITAL STATUS:  Single

                                -end-