James Hartsfield
Johnson Space Center, Houston
281-483-5111



Report #RELEASE: J07-010

D.C. NATIVE AVAILABLE TO DISCUSS ROLE ON NEXT SHUTTLE MISSION

HOUSTON - NASA astronaut Benjamin Alvin Drew, Jr., a Washington, D.C. native who will fly on a space shuttle mission targeted to launch next month, will be available for satellite interviews from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. CDT Thursday, July 5.

To participate in the interviews, reporters should contact NASA's Johnson Space Center Newsroom at 281-483-5111 no later than 5 p.m. CDT Tuesday, July 3. The Johnson newsroom will be closed Wednesday, July 4.

Drew, a U.S. Air Force colonel, will serve as a mission specialist aboard space shuttle Endeavour’s mission, designated STS-118, to the International Space Station. Endeavour’s seven astronauts will deliver a third starboard truss segment and an external stowage platform. The crew will make at least three spacewalks to install the new components and to replace one of the station’s attitude control gyroscopes. Drew will assist with the transfer of supplies and equipment between the shuttle and station, as well as photography and television activities.

Drew, selected as an astronaut in 2000, was born in Washington, D.C. He received two bachelor’s degrees from the Air Force Academy and master's degrees from Embry Riddle University and the Air Force Air University.

For Drew’s complete biographical information, visit:

http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/drew-ba.html

For more information about the STS-118 mission and its crew, visit

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle