European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - July 6, 1986, Darmstadt, Hesse                                People an getting Rusty cancellation of the Centaur program linked with Atlantis space shuttle was a severe blow to morale at Kennedy space Center. Astronaut ranks Are shrinking a photo Johnson space Center Ojector Jesse Moore testifying last february on challenger disaster before Senate subcommittee. By Paul Recer associated press he elite Crew who flies America s space machines has not been spared the Shock and the self examination that jolted Nasa after the challenger disaster. The Accident grounded the shuttle Fleet and sent the National aeronautics and space administration into an agony of scrutiny both from within and without. In one moment 5 percent of the nation s trained space explorers were gone. For the astronauts left behind there was grief and anger followed by a growing realization hat Many of their own dreams also died when challenger exploded 73 seconds into its Jan. 28 flight. Six astronauts have since left the corps and at least two others Are preparing to go. One died in an air plane Accident and another has been removed from flight status. From an exclusive club that once numbered 102. The astronaut ranks have been reduced to 88. And the number is slipping. Some like Owen Garriott 56, who resigned june 12 after 20 years Are leaving because they no longer want to wait for another space flight. There s no question that the Long delay in the flight schedule is the primary reason that i be decided i d rather be in space activities on the outside than wait for the possibility of another flight Garriola said. Garriott made two flights. He had been scheduled to make a science flight this year but that was scrubbed after the disaster. It will be at least a year and a half before the first flight Garriott said and another year or two beyond that before we re flying a science  James Van Hoften 42, a two flight Veteran who is leaving next month said the waiting shaped his thinking. Iii were to wait two or three More years i would have one More flight he said but people in Industry Aren t interested in How Many times you have flown. At my age i feel i m at a perfect time for a transition into a whole new line of work said Van Hoften who is going to work for Bechtel inc. In san Francisco. Robert Overmeyer 49, resigned june 1, saying opportunities on the outside were More appealing to me than they were in the  Overmeyer who retired As an air Force colonel was caught in an economic reality that affects All senior military astronauts. Astronauts Are not promoted beyond the rank of \ colonel in the air Force army or Marine corps or Bey the equivalent rank Captain in the Navy. The military astronaut must return to regular military service to j Advance in rank or face mandatory retirement. Some have chosen to leave the military and to civilian astronaut jobs which carry a big pay Cut. A Navy Captain in the astronaut corps now receives about $58,700 annually counting flight pay and housing allowances. A civilian astronaut without a medical degree starts at $42,653. A medical Degre adds about $8.000 to t civilian rate. To private Industry particularly aerospace industries astronauts prize employees. On recently retired Astrom said he was routinely receiving $4,000 for five Days of consulting Wor private Industry of course cannot offer the t of a space flight. But with current uncertainties Shaowen k. Garriott Appolo Van Hoflen that Carrot has been taken  some astronauts left because they Felt there Little Hope for promotion to management jobs in Nasa. The presidential commission that investigated if challenger Accident said Nasa should overcome i reluctance to Advance astronauts into Man Gemer these individuals brought to their positions Fligl experience and a keen appreciation of operations i flight safety said the commission report. The commission also recommended that the dig Crew operations directorate which includes the astronaut office be elevated in the Nasa Structure astronaut Robert Crippen has been put in charge reorganizing key management structures in Nasa and Johnson space Center director Jesse Moore i backing the cause of the astronauts. I m going to do everything i can to make sure Lati astronauts voices Are heard not Only in technical decisions but also in management decisions t said. Page 14 the stars and stripes