NASA aims for May shuttle launch

Posted on: Oct. 14th, 2005 || Source: cnn.com | E-mail Article | Print Article

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- NASA aims to launch the next space shuttle in May 2006, after fixing a persistent problem with falling debris -- the same problem that doomed shuttle Columbia and grounded the remaining three-ship fleet.

The timing of any return to flight depends on how fast NASA's hurricane-damaged Michoud plan in New Orleans can get back to full strength, space agency officials said. The shuttles' massive external tanks are assembled at Michoud, and at this point only 25 percent of employees are working.

"It appears that the May launch window is something that we can begin to work toward now," said Wayne Hale, the shuttle program manager.

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