Named in honor of Lew Allen, who has been vice president of the California Institute of Technology and director of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory since 1982. He has provided exceptional leadership and vision to extend the U.S. exploration of the solar system. Under his guidance, 1989 saw the successful launch of the Magellan spacecraft to the planet Venus and the Galileo spacecraft to Jupiter. Allen is highly regarded by JPL people as an excellent leader as well as a caring, accessible friend. The discoverer acknowledges his genuine interest and support over the years. (M 17223) _ _.