The Challenger Center for Space Science Education has added three new members to its board of Directors. Meeting in Alexandria, Virginia last week, the Challenger Center's sitting board welcomed its new members aboard for three year terms.

Added to the board were:

* Leroy Chiao. Chiao worked as a NASA astronaut for 15 years and is a veteran of 3 space shuttle flights and one Soyuz flight tothe International Space Station. Chiao also commanded the International Space Station's Expedition 10 in 2004 and 2005. Chiao has a doctorate in Chemical Engineering and is currently holds the Smiley and Bernice Romero Raborn Distinguished Chair and Max Faget Professor in Mechanical Engineering at Louisiana State University (LSU). Chiao is also a veteran of an educational expedition to Devon Island in July 2007 sponsored by the Challenger Center, the Mars Institute, and the Explorers Club. A Fellow of the Explorers Club, Chiao is also the co-chair of the upcoming Symposium "Risk and Exploration: Earth As A Classroom" to be held at LSU 28-30 October 2007. For more information on Leroy Chiao visit http://www.leroychiao.com/

* Carol Staubach. Staubach currently serves as the junior partner at Booz Allen Hamilton in the National Reconnaissance Office market. She has a degree in Mathematics, Physics and Secondary Education from the University of Pittsburgh, and has done graduate study in Mathematics at Pitt and in Engineering Administration at George Washington University. Prior to her employment at Booz Allen Hamilton she served for 33 years in the Central Intelligence Agency. Ms. Staubach was awarded the CIA Distinguished Service Medal, the NRO Gold Medal, the NRO Director's Circle Award, and the 2002 National Space Club Charyk Award, and most recently, the 2006 Women In Aerospace Lifetime Achievement Award. She is an elected member of the AFCEA Intelligence Committee, and a member of the AIAA and INSA associations, a member of the NGA Advisory Group, and the Intelligence Concepts Development Office (ICDO) Graybeards Panel for the DDNI for Collection. She is also on the Board of Directors of Women in Aerospace.

* Keith Cowing. Cowing is a former NASA space station payload integration manager and is the editor of two leading space news websites: SpaceRef.com and NASAWatch.com. Cowing has a background in space life science and holds a Masters Degree in Biology. He is also a frequent television commentator on space science and policy and led the educational effort to Devon Island with Dr. Chiao. Cowing also serves as the co-chair with Chiao of the Risk and Exploration symposium at LSU and is also a Fellow of the Explorers Club. For more information on Keith Cowing visit http://www.reston.com/cowing/

Commenting on the new additions to the board, Challenger Center Founding Chairman and Board member June Scobee Rodgers said: "The Challenger Center concept began during a conversation in my home among the families of Challenger. In the two decades that have followed, more than 8 million students have been inspired and enriched by the Challenger Learning Centers - and our mission has only just begun! As we move forward in this new century, we need to be constantly adapting to the changing world around us. The addition of these three outstanding new board members is the first of many steps we will be taking in that regard. Our hope is to continue to expand upon our legacy and to always be at the cutting edge of space science education."

About The Challenger Center for Space Science Education

Challenger Center for Space Science Education is an international, not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) education organization that was founded by the families of the astronauts lost during the last flight of the Challenger Space Shuttle in 1986.

Through Challenger Center's programs and its international network of Challenger Learning Centers, the diversity, spirit, and commitment to education that exemplified the Challenger 51-L mission continues to make an impact on students, teachers, and families today.

For more information on the Challenger Center for Space Science Education, visit: http://www.challenger.org/

Challenger Center for Space Science Education
1250 North Pitt Street, Alexandria, VA 22311
Shannon Rush, Development Associate
888-683-9740; srush@challenger.org