NASA officials will hold a series of telephone
conferences for media on Thursday, August 26. They will
discuss the progress made since the Columbia Accident
Investigation Board (CAIB) released its report August 26,
2003.

The first two telephone conference briefings will update
media on NASA’s efforts to return the Space Shuttle to safe
flight and provide a status check of ongoing operations
aboard the International Space Station. The final briefing
will explain how NASA is working to improve organizational
culture and mission safety throughout the agency.

The briefing participants and times are:

– 9 a.m. EDT – Space Shuttle Return to Flight

  • William Readdy, Space Operations associate administrator
  • Bill Parsons, Space Shuttle program manager

– 10:30 a.m. EDT – International Space Station

  • William Gestenmaier, International Space Station program
  • manager

– 1 p.m. EDT – NASA Organizational Culture and Mission Safety

  • Dr. Thomas Krause, chairman of the board, BST Inc.
  • Jim Jennings, Institutions and Management associate administrator

News media wanting to participate in the teleconferences
should call Allard Beutel or Melissa Mathews on 202/358-
4769/1272 by 4 p.m. EDT Wednesday August 25.
News media who do not want to ask questions can use NASA’s
“monitor only” phone lines: 321/867-1220/1240/1260.

For information on the Internet about the Space Shuttle
Return to Flight effort, the International Space Station,
NASA’s organizational culture change and a copy of the CAIB
Report, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/returntoflight