For Release: December 9,1996

Kathryn Cataldo
| Office of Media Services
(205) 544-2188
(205) 544-1183 (PIN) 0546

NOTE TO ASSIGNMENT EDITORS AND PRODUCERS: 96-187

SATELLITE INTERVIEWS AVAILABLE ON HOW AIR TRAVELERS COULD BENEFIT FROM NASA TECHNOLOGY

Airline passengers could be big winners thanks in part to recent NASA rocket engine tests that led to an improved jet aircraft engine.

Live and taped satellite interviews are available this week with NASA Engineer Stephen Gaddis who can talk about how tests to improve Space Shuttle engines have led to a more reliable aircraft engine that could save millions of dollars in airline fuel costs each year. B-roll is also available.

The turbine tests done in cooperation with rocket and aircraft engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney, led to improvements in the design of the company’s jet engine for the Boeing 777. Changes resulted in a more durable engine that costs less to maintain and operate. Also, a full half percent was gained in energy efficiency. On the ledger’s bottom line, that means a savings of hundreds of gallons of fuel per flight; hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil per year and an annual savings of millions of dollars.

In the years to come, electric utility companies may benefit from turbine improvements resulting from these NASA tests, allowing the more efficient generation of power and a potential cost savings to the consumer.

To request an interview or further information, please contact Kathryn Cataldo at (205) 544-2188. All interviews will be conducted on C-band, Spacenet 2, Transponder 5, Channel 9 at 69 degrees west longitude. The transponder frequency is 3880 MHz and the audio subcarrier is 6.8 MHz.