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June 10, 2003

Bill Jeffs
Johnson Space Center, Houston
281-483-5111

Report #RELEASE:J03-58

EDUCATORS TO LEARN HOW HUMAN BODY FUNCTIONS IN SPACE

The effects of the space environment on the human body will be the
focus of discussion during the second annual Bioastronautics and
College of the Mainland Professional Development Conference June
16-20 at the Johnson Space Center.

Media members are invited to attend the conference. Those interested
should contact the JSC newsroom at (281) 483-5111 no later than noon
Friday. 

JSC and College of the Mainland have partnered to host this weeklong
conference that will provide 30 selected fourth- to eighth-grade
educators with an in-depth look at NASA educational materials
focusing on the human body in space. Scientists and engineers will
discuss topics ranging from the potentially harmful effects of space
on the human body including renal stone formation and bone density
and muscle mass loss and countermeasures being developed to treat
them to exercise physiology and long-duration missions to Mars. 

Teachers will participate in hands-on activities and receive
customized lab kits filled will all the tools needed to introduce
what they learn in their classrooms this fall to inspire the next
generation of scientists, engineers and astronauts. They will tour
the International Space Station mockups, the Mission Control Center
and the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory facilities at JSC. 

Guest speakers include Barbara Morgan, NASA's first educator
astronaut; Dave Williams, physician and Canadian Space Agency
astronaut; Bernard Harris, physician and former astronaut; and Cheryl
McNair, founder of the Ron McNair Educational Science Literacy
Foundation. 

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Subject: Astronauts To Honor Columbia Crew At Bank One Ball Park

June 10, 2003

Eldora Valentine
Johnson Space Center, Houston
281) 244-1871/ (281) 244-2726

Report #J03-59

ASTRONAUTS TO HONOR COLUMBIA CREW AT BANK ONE BALL PARK

NASA astronaut John L. Phillips, Ph.D., will be coming to Bank One
Ball Park to honor the Space Shuttle Columbia crew. Dr. Phillips will
throw out the first pitch in honor of his fellow astronauts on
Monday, June 23, at the Arizona Diamondbacks’ 6:35 p.m. game against
the Houston Astros. 

Dr. Phillips is one of several astronauts participating in this
nationwide tour being coordinated with the Houston Astros’ 2003
season. The astronauts are honoring the STS-107 crew and continuing
their mission of telling the world about the importance of space
research, development and exploration. 

The Astros are paying homage to NASA and the Space Shuttle Columbia
crew this season by wearing the Columbia STS-107 mission patch on the
team's uniform. In the spirit of carrying out the Astros’ season
opener dedication as well as the mission of the STS-107 crew, NASA
astronauts are visiting several cities the Astros are playing in this
season. 

Dr. Phillips grew up in Scottsdale, Ariz. He graduated from
Scottsdale High School. He received a bachelor of science degree in
mathematics and Russian from the U.S. Naval Academy. He also has a
master of science in aeronautical systems from the University of West
Florida and a master’s and a doctorate in geophysics and space
physics from the University of California, Los Angeles. 

NASA selected Dr. Phillips in 1996. He has held various jobs in the
astronaut office including systems engineering and CAPCOM (spacecraft
communicator) for the International Space Station. In 2001 he flew
aboard STS-100 and spent 12 days in space. During the mission, the
crew delivered and installed the Canadarm2 robotic arm. They also
delivered experiments and supplies. Dr. Phillips was the ascent/entry
flight engineer and was the intravehicular activity coordinator
during two spacewalks.  He is currently assigned as flight engineer
on ISS Expedition 10 scheduled for launch in 2004. 

Dr. Phillips will be available to the media for in studio or phone
interviews the morning and afternoon of Monday, June 23. In addition,
he’ll also give scheduled interviews at Bank One Ball Park before the
game in the third base dugout from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. To arrange an
interview, contact Eldora Valentine at (281) 244-1871. 

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