Feb. 25, 2009

John Yembrick
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1100
john.yembrick-1{at}nasa.gov

Steve Cole
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-0918
stephen.e.cole{at}nasa.gov

RELEASE: 09-041

NASA NAMES CHAIRMAN FOR ORBITING CARBON OBSERVATORY INVESTIGATION

WASHINGTON -- NASA's Rick Obenschain, deputy director at NASA's
Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., will lead the
investigation board for the unsuccessful launch of the Orbiting
Carbon Observatory on Feb. 24.

The Mishap Investigation Board, or MIB, will have four other members.
NASA will announce the names of additional members as they become
available. The board will gather information, analyze the facts, and
identify the failure's cause or causes and contributing factors. The
MIB will make recommendations for actions to prevent a similar
incident.

Obenschain shares responsibility for executive leadership and overall
direction and management of Goddard and its assigned programs and
projects. He also is responsible for providing executive oversight
and technical evaluation for the development and delivery for Goddard
space systems launch and operations.

Previously, Obenschain was appointed director of the Flight Projects
Directorate in September 2004, and was responsible for the day-to-day
management of more than 40 space and Earth science missions. He has
held a number of project management positions at Goddard.

Obenschain is the recipient of NASA's Distinguished Service Medal,
Exceptional Service Medal, Outstanding Leadership Medal, Equal
Opportunity Medal, and Goddard's Award of Merit. In 1995, he received
the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics von Braun
Award for Excellence in Space Program Management.

For information about the Orbiting Carbon Observatory failed launch
and investigation, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/oco

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