SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468

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Sept. 22, 2006

Dean Acosta/Melissa Mathews Headquarters, Washington 202-358-1400/1272 RELEASE: 06-322

NASA ADMINISTRATOR MICHAEL GRIFFIN VISITS CHINA

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin begins a trip to China this weekend, marking the first time a NASA administrator visits the country.

Griffin is making this visit at the invitation of Laiyan Sun, administrator of the China National Space Administration. His visit runs from Saturday to Thursday. The trip includes stops in Beijing and Shanghai. During his trip, Griffin will tour a number of aerospace facilities.

"My goal is to become acquainted with my counterparts in China and to understand their goals for space exploration," Griffin said.

Senior NASA officials accompanying Griffin to China include Associate Administrator for Space Operations William Gerstenmaier, Assistant Administrator for External Relations Michael O'Brien and NASA astronaut Shannon Lucid, all of whom have extensive experience working with international space programs.

For updates on the NASA administrator's trip to China, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/about/highlights/griffin_china.html

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