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NASA News 
National Aeronautics and
Space Administration

John F. Kennedy Space Center
Kennedy Space Center, Florida 32899
AC 321-867-2468
_____________________________________________________________________
For Release: May 9, 2003

KSC Contact: Bruce Buckingham
(321) 867-2468  

JSC Contact: Eileen Hawley
(281) 483-5111

KSC Release No. 35 - 03

NASA CONSIDERS OFFERING SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITY TO STUDY
SHUTTLE COLUMBIA DEBRIS 

NASA's Kennedy Space Center has issued a Request for Information
(RFI), seeking organizations interested in using debris from the
orbiter Columbia in researching the effects of reentry. 

Scientific, academic and governmental organizations interested are
asked to submit their requests by June 6, 2003, detailing their
previous experience, plans for use of the orbiter debris, and the
scientific benefits expected to be gained by their research. 

"This is a general request to organizations outside the NASA family,"
said Mike Leinbach, Columbia reconstruction chairman and Shuttle
launch director. "Through the efforts of outside researchers, we
stand to learn a great deal regarding hypersonic and thermodynamic
properties and their affects on spacecraft parts. This will greatly
assist in the design and flight safety of future spacecraft." 

NASA has also requested input on how to best preserve and manage the
debris from Columbia. The complete RFI can be found at:
http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/eps/bizops.cgi?gr=D&pin=76#105670>

An RFI is intended to solicit information to help NASA decide how to
proceed. It does not represent a commitment to making Columbia debris
available to any person or organization. 

Interested organizations should contact Steve Parker at the Kennedy
Space Center Office of Procurement, by e-mail at
Steve.Parker{at}nasa.gov or by calling 321-867-2928.

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