Contact:

Adam Mahone
Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD
(Phone: 301/286-0746)

September 27, 2004 - RELEASE: 04-054

GODDARD WELCOMES ASTRONAUT PAUL RICHARDS

Washington-Metropolitan area media representatives are invited to meet former Astronaut and Mission specialist Paul Richards on Sunday, October 3, 2004, when he visits Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) in Greenbelt, MD.

Selected by NASA as an Astronaut candidate in April 1996, Richards flew on NASA’s STS-102 Discovery mission, (March 8 – 21, 2001), to the International Space Station (ISS) and has logged over 307 hours in space, including more than six EVA space-walk hours. STS-102 was the eighth Space Shuttle mission to visit the space station and the crew performed various duties critical to the lifecycle of the orbiting facility.

During Paul Richards visit to Goddard, he will highlight major mission accomplishments that were a result of his flight. A media opportunity for interviews is planned for 3:30 – 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. Media and news representatives who wish to participate should contact Dewayne Washington or Adam Mahone in the GSFC Public Affairs Office to arrange access to the center. Mr. Washington can be reached at (301) 332-5927, and Mr. Mahone can be reached at (301) 286-0746.