Ken Atchison
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.                                         
October 3, 1991
(Phone:  202/453-8400)
 

RELEASE:  91-161

NASA ADMINISTRATOR ANNOUNCES KEY APPOINTMENTS
 

   NASA Administrator Richard H. Truly announced today several 
key appointments: 

   Arnold D. Aldrich, currently the Associate Administrator 
for the Office of Aeronautics, Exploration and Technology, has 
been selected as Associate Administrator for the recently 
announced Office of Space Systems Development. 

   Aldrich brings a wealth of knowledge in managing the 
development of large projects as a result of his many years of 
experience in various assignments, including the Space Shuttle 
program.  He was instrumental in providing the program 
leadership in the safe and successful return to flight of the 
Space Shuttle. 

   Richard H. Petersen, Director of the Langley Research 
Center, Hampton, Va., will come to Headquarters to become the 
Associate Administrator for the Office of Aeronautics and 
Space Technology, formerly the Office of Aeronautics, 
Exploration and Technology. 

   Petersen has been the Director of the Langley Research 
Center since January 1985.  He also served as Deputy Center 
Director from 1980-85.  Prior to coming to Langley, Petersen 
was Chief of the Aerodynamics Division at the Ames Research 
Center, Moffett Field, Calif.  Petersen joined the National 
Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, NASA's predecessor agency, 
at Ames in 1957. 

   William B. Lenoir, currently the Associate Administrator 
for the Office of Space Flight, will continue to head that 
Office, with its new focus on space flight operations. 


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   Charles T. Force will remain in his current assignment as 
the Associate Administrator for the Office of Space 
Communications, formerly named the Office of Space Operations. 

   NASA field center reporting assignments will remain 
unchanged, and transition plans will be arranged as soon as 
possible. 

   In announcing these appointments, Truly said, "NASA is 
extremely fortunate to have such outstanding senior executives 
ready to take on these challenging new responsibilities.  With 
the creation of the Office of Space Systems Development and 
these key appointments, NASA will be better aligned to execute 
the development and operation of Space Station Freedom as well 
as other new capability development projects, and to focus 
more directly on efficient space operations.  These management 
changes will also ensure a strong future in NASA's aeronautics 
research and space technology efforts."  
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