HOUSTON (AP) - NASA's top space contractor plans to lay off
about 15 percent of its shuttle-related work force, effective Oct.
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      Houston-based United Space Alliance is day-to-day manager of the
U.S. space shuttle fleet and handles NASA's International Space
Station planning, training and operations. In a Tuesday statement,
it says 800-1,000 shuttle-related workers in Florida, 300-400 in
Texas and about 10 in Alabama will be laid off.
      Just two missions remain in the shuttle program, scheduled for
launch no sooner than Nov. 1 and Feb. 26.
      Alliance President Virginia Barnes says all laid-off workers
will receive severance compensation and access to help with resume
development and training for job interviews and career transitions.
      USA is a consortium of The Boeing Co. and Lockheed Martin Corp.